Physical Chemistry: Atkins or Levine?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice between the physical chemistry textbooks by Atkins and Levine, with participants sharing personal experiences and preferences regarding these and other related texts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Personal experience sharing

Main Points Raised

  • One participant criticizes Atkins for its circular definitions and lack of clarity in thermodynamics, suggesting that it makes understanding difficult.
  • Another participant expresses a preference for Levine's work in quantum chemistry, describing it as excellent, though they do not comment on her physical chemistry text.
  • A participant mentions a fondness for Moore's "Physical Chemistry," indicating it as a classic text.
  • Another participant acknowledges Moore's book as classic but notes its age and suggests it may be more suitable for macroscopic level studies, potentially pairing well with McQuarrie's book.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the textbooks, with no consensus reached on which is superior. Some favor Moore, while others critique Atkins, and Levine's work remains less discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various aspects of the textbooks, including their structure and clarity, but do not provide detailed comparisons or evaluations of Levine's physical chemistry text specifically.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals considering physical chemistry textbooks, particularly those interested in personal experiences and comparative insights on Atkins, Levine, and Moore.

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Good evening guys,
I have to decide whether to purchase Atkins or Levine for my physical chemistry learning? Personal experiences with the textbooks are encouraged.
 
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I found Atkins a horrible book. Let me give you an example: He starts out to introduce temperature via reference to the ideal gas law, and remarks, that a precise definition will be given later. Later, he defines entropy as S=Q/T and finally claims that now he can define T as dU/dS, which is obviously circular. Generally with thermodynamics, it is quite hard to make out a structure. There are many preliminary settings and it is hard to find a final definition.
Of Ira Levine, I only know her book on quantum chemistry, which is excellent.
One of my personal favourites is the book "Physical Chemistry" by Walter J. Moore.
 
I liked Moore Physical Chemistry
 
Moore is classic but very old. It is at the macroscopic level & might go well with Bruce Mcquarrie's book.
 

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