You might think that by its eighth edition a text will have settled down into a graceful old age. Those familiar with its history, however, will know that every edition of Physical Chemistry has undergone a substantial revision to keep it young, contemporary, and accessible to the changing profile of generations of students. This edition follows that tradition: there are many changes that are aimed to match the wishes and expectations of its ever evolving intended audience and to bring modern aspects of the subject into the arena of discussion.
We took three major decisions when planning the revision. One was to provide full-colour illustrations, a second was to change the balance of the topics, and a third was to abbreviate the presentation without diminishing the pedagogical aids that have helped so many generations of students.
The decision about the use of colour was a difficult one: we didn't want to add costs by providing what some might think inappropriate decoration. We have aimed to use colour meaningfully and systematically, not gratuitously, and we consider that as well as making the book look more attractive and inviting it enriches the learning experience.
The searchlight of physical chemistry shifts, and illuminates different aspects. When the text first appeared three decades ago, thermodynamics was a cornerstone of presentation. Now, although a firm grounding in thermodynamics is essential for understanding structures and reactions, it is emphasized less and structure and spectroscopy are emphasized more. We have responded in earlier editions to this shift in emphasis, and have carried it further in this edition, combining chapters where appropriate and cutting down the discussion here and there.
Bulk, we know, terrifies. However, a big book should not necessarily be equated with a burdensome subject. The bulk of earlier editions has in large measure been due to the large amount of pedagogical support - worked examples, illustrations, comprehensive data sections, etc.- that are designed to help the reader; it has not been due solely to the abundance of topics. Nevertheless, we recognize the psychological impact of bulk, and have done our best to reduce it substantially without sacrificing features that help. Design, succinctness, newly drawn diagrams, and various other devices have been used to reduce the length of the text without compromising its authority, accessibility, and pedagogical sensitivity.
We have worked hard, yet again, to rejuvenate the text and provide an enjoyable, helpful, and authoritative account of a deeply satisfying subject.
Peter Atkins and Julio dePaula
