📚 Introducing Physical Chemistry, 3rd Edition by Robert G. Mortimer 🔬
In the realm of chemical sciences, few texts manage to strike the balance between mathematical rigor, physical intuition, and real-world applicability as well as Physical Chemistry, 3rd Edition by Robert G. Mortimer. Designed for a two‐semester undergraduate course in physical chemistry, this third edition offers a coherent, thorough, and updated treatment of the subject, suitable for students in chemistry, chemical engineering, biophysics, and related fields.
Key Features & Updates
Mortimer has added 「core applications」 that tie the theory to experiments and modern developments, especially in 「chemical reaction kinetics」, 「molecular quantum mechanics」, and 「ultrafast chemical reactions」.
The book maintains a substantial level of mathematical treatment, but it remains mindful of pedagogy: explanations are detailed, step‐by‐step derivations are provided, and tools are given to help students apply theory practically.
Mortimer’s structure allows flexibility: the subject matter is arranged so that the first three parts (thermodynamics/macroscopic systems; dynamics; quantum mechanics & spectroscopy) can be approached in various orders, and Part IV (statistical mechanics) acts as a capstone integrating prior material.
Contents & Organization
The book is divided into four major parts:
「Thermodynamics and the Macroscopic Description of Physical Systems」
Behavior of gases and liquids
The First, Second, and Third Laws of Thermodynamics
Phase equilibrium, real systems, electrochemical thermodynamics
「Dynamics」
Kinetic theory of gases
Transport processes (diffusion, viscosity, thermal conductivity)
Rates of chemical reactions, reaction mechanisms, catalysis
「Molecular Theory of Matter & Quantum Mechanics/Spectroscopy」
Classical mechanics and old quantum theory
Postulates of quantum mechanics, Schrödinger equation
Electronic states, spectroscopy (rotational, vibrational, optical), photochemistry, magnetic resonance
「Statistical Mechanics: Bridging Micro & Macro」
Probability distributions of molecular states
Statistical thermodynamics, ensembles
Structure of solids, liquids, polymers, and condensed phases
Each chapter begins with a summary of principal facts and ideas, ends with a summary, includes worked examples and exercises, and has appendices for more specialized mathematical tools. There is also a solutions manual available for instructors.
Why It’s Valuable
Helps build a synthesis among descriptive chemistry, theory, and mathematics. Mortimer emphasizes not just “knowing formulas” but understanding their derivation, domain of applicability, and limits.
For students or researchers in bioengineering, materials, or interdisciplinary fields, the discussions of kinetics, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics offer tools to explore molecular behavior in complex systems.
Updated era of fast reactions / experimental techniques means Mortimer’s inclusion of more recent developments makes this more than a static “classical” text. It is more relevant to modern laboratories.
Potential Audience & Uses
Undergraduate students in chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or biophysics who need a solid physical chemistry foundation.
Graduate students who want to revisit the fundamentals, especially in quantum mechanics or statistical mechanics.
Instructors designing a course: the flexible order of material means one can adapt to different curricula or emphases.
Researchers who want a reference to derivations, thermodynamics, kinetics, or molecular quantum theory.
Minor Caveats
Volume & depth: It is a large book (~1400 pages), quite dense in places. If you're not already comfortable with calculus, differential equations, or linear algebra, some chapters will require careful reading.
The mathematical rigor is appropriate for serious learners; if you want a concise, less technical overview, this is not that book.
Updates beyond publication (2008) exist in some fields (e.g. ultrafast spectroscopy, computational methods), so supplemental sources may be needed for very recent advances.
Conclusion & Recommendation
Physical Chemistry, 3rd Edition by Robert G. Mortimer is a high‐quality, rigorous, and comprehensively organized text. It succeeds in weaving together thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum theory, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics in a way that helps students build intuition, computational skill, and conceptual understanding. For anyone serious about physical chemistry (or needing it as a foundational tool in bio, materials, engineering, etc.), this edition is well worth reading. 👍
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