Elementary Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry is generally considered by students to be the hardest part of a study in chemistry, not in the least due to the range of concepts and mathematical context. According to the introduction for this textbook, 'the emphasis is not on mathematical rigor, although conceptual difficulties are not swept under the rug.' It was written for a one semester course in physical chemistry for science students. Because of differences in the curriculum, it could be used across three years in the UK.

The first thing one notices about this textbook is its compactness. Physical chemistry books used for undergraduate teaching tend to be mighty tomes of 500-1000 A4 pages. This one only comes in at 160 pages of A5 format.