Physical Chemistry

"Microprojects with Mathcad" teaches methodology of physical chemistry problem solving using Mathcad 7 by MathSoft. It is designed to be used as an aid in the teaching of physical chemistry and as a reference for learning both basic and sophisticated computer-based methods of analysing physical chemistry problems. Detailed descriptions of the Mathcad environment and techniques are presented, with illustrations, from the very beginning stages of the study of physical chemistry through the more difficult ones. "Microprojects with Mathcad" can be used as a supplement in university courses that use many of the currently available physical chemistry lecture and laboratory texts, especially the popular "Physical Chemistry" by Peter Atkins. The initial chapters teach problem solving techniques with examples that illustrate the concepts of physical chemistry starting with the properties of gases and continuing through chemical thermodynamics. The pedagogy is designed to "trail" or "follow behind" study of the main text. Thus the concepts and traditional methods of problem solving can be taught first, followed by a study of MicroProjects, which will provide not only review, but add computer-based techniques of analysis to the solution of modern and realistic problems which would have been too difficult or time consuming for the student to solve otherwise. The book is accompanied by a free CD-ROM with the Mathcad tutorial and approximately 100 active Mathcad documents.