Chemical Education Today edited by
Book & Media Reviews
Jeffrey Kovac University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996-1600
Quantum Mechanics: A Conceptual Approach by Hendrik F. Hameka Wiley-Interscience: Hoboken, NJ, 2004. 194 pp. ISBN 0471649651 (paperback). $49.95. [Also available digitally as an e-book using Adobe Reader 6.X: Wiley-Interscience: New York, 2004. Mac OS 10.2 or higher, Windows, Palm OS devices (but not Pocket PC or Symbian devices); Adobe Reader. ISBN B0001ZYORY. $49.95 for each version] reviewed by Matthew F. Tuchler
While quantum mechanics is the foundation upon which much of the vocabulary of chemistry is based, one does not need to know quantum mechanics and all of its subtleties in order to use this vocabulary. Many chemists, however, are interested in learning more about the subject and the preface to Quantum Mechanics: A Conceptual Approach suggests that they are included in the target group for the text. All that is needed is an introductory background in mathematics and physics and the author promises to provide the rest. In fact, the author is so confident that the reader will get everything he/she wants and needs in this short text that he does not include any reference to other texts or manuscripts. This is a remarkable, ambitious goal and one that is made even more challenging by the limited space of 194 pages (1). Beginning with the historical background, the author moves through a “math-you-will-need section”, a “physicsyou-will-need section”, and then the usual collection of simple models—the H-atom, multi-electron atoms, and (briefly) molecular structure. This general structure is similar to that found in most general physical chemistry texts (2) and in most introductory quantum texts (3). One notable difference is that other texts provide clear examples of the concepts and methods described. These examples help to flesh out abstract concepts and demonstrate how the concept appears in chemistry, i.e., the examples provide for a conceptual understanding. A common example might be how the particle-in-a-well model could be applied to energy structure and spectroscopy (a topic not discussed in this text) in a molecule such as butadiene. Surprisingly, such examples are not seen as necessary in Quantum Mechanics: A Conceptual Approach, which relies solely on the description of the model system as sufficient. The math and physics introduction is brief and has several notation typos. A perhaps picayune point is that the author does not define the limits of the spherical polar coordinates when he introduces them. This is a problem for students whose only other introduction to these coordinates is via physics or math in which the definition of the limits
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for and ϕ are reversed relative to the common chemistry usage. The author indicates in the preface that he would like to avoid the mathematically rigorous axiomatic approach that he believes distracts from a conceptual understanding. Instead he seeks to make the text more interesting, approachable, and thus useful by including historical background and personalities of the scientists. Historical context is offered throughout the book, but it is brief and unsatisfying. Though much of the anecdotal historical information is enjoyable, its use in the text is distracting, not inspiring, and does not assist in providing a conceptual understanding of the material surrounding it. Finally, when Dirac is quoted, it would be nice to have a reference to follow up if we choose. In general, the treatment of individual topics and concepts is very good and informative to one who is well versed in quantum mechanics. There are several topics, however, that are introduced (e.g., time-dependent Hamiltonian, particle in a finite well, tunneling) and are not applied later in the text. For example, while tunneling is introduced in chapter 6, it is neither explained in terms of its relevance in chemistry nor discussed again in the text. Random introduction of such topics may be confusing to the reader who is new to the field of quantum mechanics. Unless context and purpose are provided after a new concept is introduced and context with respect to the evolution of the text is indicated, the reader will lose sight of the forest from the trees. Ultimately, this is not a text to be used in an introductory or undergraduate quantum chemistry course. It certainly is not a text that should be used by the curious to learn quantum mechanics. I enjoyed this text as a refresher on various topics essential to quantum mechanics and related to its application in chemistry. The author does present the material in a novel way that may be appreciated by one who is well versed in the variety of ways it has been presented. Thus this text best serves a person who already knows quantum mechanics and wants a refresher on a concept or derivation. Literature Cited 1. Interestingly, in his earlier, more extensive text Quantum Mechanics (John Wiley and Sons: New York, 1981), Hameka does provide useful references. In fact, I suggest that this older text is a very good text to reference for the current text. 2. For example, Mortimer, R. G.; Physical Chemistry, 2nd ed.; Harcourt Academic Press: San Diego, 2000. 3. For example, Hanna, M. W. Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry, 3rd ed.; Benjamin–Cummings: London, 1981.
Matthew F. Tuchler is in the Department of Chemistry, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA 24450;
[email protected].
Vol. 82 No. 1 January 2005
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Journal of Chemical Education
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