Chemistry textbook for physics majors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the search for chemistry textbooks suitable for physics majors, particularly those that present chemistry concepts as extensions of physics. Participants explore various textbook recommendations and their alignment with the physics background of the inquirer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks textbooks that treat chemistry as a result of physics, appropriate for someone with advanced physics coursework.
  • Another suggests that a physical chemistry book would be more suitable for a physics-oriented treatment of chemistry.
  • A different participant recommends "Principles of Modern Chemistry" by Oxtoby and "Chemical Principles" by Atkins as suitable options that emphasize physics and mathematics.
  • One participant expresses a contrasting viewpoint, suggesting that the course should be approached as a basic requirement rather than overthinking the material.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present differing views on the approach to the chemistry course, with some advocating for a physics-oriented textbook and others suggesting a more relaxed perspective on the course's difficulty.

Contextual Notes

There are varying levels of familiarity with chemistry among participants, and some recommendations depend on prior knowledge of general chemistry concepts.

Who May Find This Useful

Physics majors seeking chemistry resources that align with their physics background, as well as those interested in the interplay between chemistry and physics.

jack476
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I've only had a single semester of general chemistry but am in my third year of physics and will be taking general chemistry II this upcoming semester.

In addition to the assigned text (Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, Tro) what I'm wondering is whether there are any textbooks that treat the ideas of chemistry as results obtained from physics at a difficulty level appropriate for someone who's had junior and senior level physics courses. Basically something that presents chemistry as an extension of physics.
 
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That is the book I used for general chemistry, if you want a physics type treatment you should hit up a physical chemistry book.
If you want a more in depth math approach to the acid base type stuff an analytical chemistry book would work. Although I don't know how far you would get without mastering it at a gen chem level. I loved kinetics, thermo, and intermolecular forces, I hated acid base/equilibrium problems.
 
Either "Principles of Modern Chemistry" by Oxtoby or "Chemical Principles" by Atkins will be a great textbook that serves your need. Both books are physical-chemistry-oriented gen.chem. books that are heavy on both physics and mathematics.
 
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Likes   Reactions: Demystifier and Dr. Courtney
Why over think it... take it for what it is, a freshman course and have a course where you can most likely get an easy A without too much work.
 

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