Molecular Quantum Mechanics

Rating:
Summary: Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry
Review: I cannot say that this is a strict quantum mechanics text that would be used for a quantum physics course, for the absence of core idea like operator mechanics, ladder operators and the such. Yet "Molecular Quantum Mechanics" definitely shines and has proven itself to be a much better (in details, explanations, readability) text than "Physical Chemistry" written by the same author.

"Molecular Quantum Mechanics" focuses on aspects of quantum mechanics in chemistry, especially in applications on spectroscopy (infrared and Raman) which roots in the ideas of rotation, vibration, anharmonicity, and centrifugal distortion. It also discusses advanced topics like nonlinear spectroscopy and computational chemistry. The book is written in thorough details and a very organized manner. I recommend "Molecular Quantum Mechanics" along with McQuarrie's "Physical Chemistry: Molecular Appraoch" for anyone who would like to learn about quantum chemistry.

Rating:
Summary: Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry
Review: I cannot say that this is a strict quantum mechanics text that would be used for a quantum physics course, for the absence of core idea like operator mechanics, ladder operators and the such. Yet "Molecular Quantum Mechanics" definitely shines and has proven itself to be a much better (in details, explanations, readability) text than "Physical Chemistry" written by the same author.

"Molecular Quantum Mechanics" focuses on aspects of quantum mechanics in chemistry, especially in applications on spectroscopy (infrared and Raman) which roots in the ideas of rotation, vibration, anharmonicity, and centrifugal distortion. It also discusses advanced topics like nonlinear spectroscopy and computational chemistry. The book is written in thorough details and a very organized manner. I recommend "Molecular Quantum Mechanics" along with McQuarrie's "Physical Chemistry: Molecular Appraoch" for anyone who would like to learn about quantum chemistry.

Rating:
Summary: Formidable
Review: I have always had a reverence for quantum mechanics, but now I have dread. Dread that sometimes manifests in awe, but most of the times, grows from confusion, thanks to the heap of frustration from quantum mechanics.

I gave the book 4 stars to avoid my biased review doing the injustice to the authors as a result of my own folly, but I must admit that I cannot understand the authors past the chapter on angular momentum (Chapter 4), albeit their breathless enthusiasm to impart the wonder of quantum mechanics to the reader. Probably a formalistic approach that Atkins and Friedman told us they took to present the book hampers my progress. A whole page of obscure subscripts wouldn't seem to help much either.

The first three chapter took the familiar analytical route, giving way to the intuition to supply insight and inspire the heart during times of imminent failure, yet the introduction of the quantum mechanical concept of angular momentum by the supposedly clever arguments of subscript manipulation went over my head. And this marks the end of my struggle, for after that I am just a regular mechanic.

The humor in this assumedly humorless subject seems to alleviate the pain a bit. (It should strongly be reminded that such humor should only be reserved for the geeky lot, for those college kids are probably too cool to appreciate a joke from, ugh, quantum mechanics.)

The book is perhaps too inclined to chemistry (hence Molecular Quantum Mechanics). A considerable amount of mathematical maturity is needed (not necessarily mathematical knowledge), and a readiness to leave your intuition bewildered.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, useful, without equal.
Review: In the third edition of MQM a new standard of science text writing has been achieved. Marvellous in and of itself and extremely useful as an intermediate level text for anyone interested in quantum chemistry. A must for any desert island.