University Science Books Introduction to Molecular Thermodynamics

”I wish I had learned thermodynamics this way!” That’s what the authors hear all the time from instructors using Introduction to Molecular Thermodynamics. Starting with just a few basic principles of probability and the distribution of energy, the book takes students (and faculty!) on an adventure into the inner workings of the molecular world like no other. Made to fit into a standard second-semester of a traditional first-year chemistry course, or as a supplement for more advanced learners, the book takes the reader from probability to Gibbs energy and beyond, following a logical step-by-step progression of ideas, each just a slight expansion of the previous. Filled with examples ranging from casinos to lasers, from the “high energy bonds” of ATP to endangered coral reefs, Introduction to Molecular Thermodynamics hits the mark for students and faculty alike who have an interest in understanding the world around them in molecular terms. Key features Develops students’ intuition and quantitative confidence. Designed to fit within the second semester of a traditional first-year chemistry course. Includes chapter-ending summaries, problems and brain teasers. Answers to selected problems appear at the back of the book. Provides an assortment of helpful appendices, including Mathematical Tricks. Features a robust author website that includes a PowerPoint Introduction, an online Interactive Guide to the Book, and much more. Contents 1 Probability, Distributions, and Equilibrium 2 The Distribution of Energy 3 Energy Levels in Real Chemical Systems 4 Internal Energy (U) and the First Law 5 Bonding and Internal Energy 6 The Effect of Temperature on Equilibrium 7 Entropy (S) and the Second Law 8 The Effect of Pressure and Concentration on Entropy 9 Enthalpy (H) and the Surroundings 10 Gibbs Energy (G) 11 The Equilibrium Constant (K) 12 Applications of Gibbs Energy: Phase Changes 13 Applications of Gibbs Energy: Electrochemistry