Page 16 - Essentials of physical chemistry

Preface xv

members. Why not give the whole class the same advantage, particularly if they actually learn
from the old tests!
It is not unusual now for a student to bring a laptop to lectures; we have thus included many
references to Internet sites with interesting educational supplements. In particular, I owe a debt of
gratitude to several authors of interesting Web sites who have given permission to include some of
their educational material in this text. Their contributions are noted by name and web address in the
captions to their work. Of course, it is still a good idea to have a textbook to lug around, but there are
treasures of knowledge on Internet sites. By using the Internet as a supplement, we can combine the
results of many excellent tutorial sites to form a richer set of examples. Thus, in the ‘‘second book’’
(Chapters 10 through 16), we gradually extend quantum chemistry concepts to spectroscopic
applications. Some other spectroscopic topics are in Chapters 17 through 19 where teachers can
choose to emphasize their specialty, and we regret not having time=space for subjects like electro-
chemistry or discussion of nuclear power. However, we are sure that if the second semester
establishes some basic quantum chemistry, a teacher can use the time in a second semester to
choose special topics. We have included SCF calculations, Raman spectroscopy, electrospray mass
spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance as advanced topics that can be mixed according to the
wishes of a given teacher and class, but the main idea is to present more quantitative discussion of
the merged science of physical chemistry.
Finally, it is important to acknowledge two colleagues who have brought constructive criticism
to bear on my research as well as this text. Professor James F. Harrison of the Michigan State
University Chemistry Department has long been a friend and classmate as an undergraduate and in
graduate school. His keen intellect has kept me on the right path for a long time and his
contributions to Chapters 16 and 17 should be noted. Also, my ‘‘style mentor’’ has been Professor
Carl Trindle at the University of Virginia. I cannot match his graceful style in prose and have lapsed
back into the conversational style that works for me in lectures. However, Carl has inspired me to
use shorter sentences. In addition, my wife Nancy says this is my ‘‘last book’’ and I thank her for her
patience in my putting my entire focus on this text for over 9 months and the 30 years before that
when most of the notes presented here were developed. My son Douglas has been a valuable
computer consultant during my conversion to Word 2007 and Windows 7; he has been of
considerable help in preparing and formatting the manuscript. Additional thanks are due to the
staff at the Quantum Theory Project at the University of Florida at Gainesville for providing selected
photographs from past Sanibel meetings. Special mention should also be made of the cooperation
from both the Chemical Heritage Foundation and the Segrè Collection of the American Institute of
Physics for assistance with research and selection of photographs. The suggestions and support of
my editor, Lance Wobus, is gratefully acknowledged as well. Thanks to the team of project manager
Vinithan Sethumadhavan of SPi Technologies, and project editor Richard Tressider and production
coordinator David Fausel of CRC Press, who were extremely helpful in what turned out to be a task
more complex than expected. Special thanks are also due to the 2010 class of ‘‘Summer P. Chem.,’’
who helped me rid the text of typographical errors and check end-of-chapter problems.

Donald D. Shillady
Ashland, Virginia