The Molecular World. The Third Dimension
Buy a book... In Association with Amazon.co.uk
Author(s): L. Smart and M. Gagan (Eds)
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
ISBN: 0854046607
Format: softback + 2 CD-ROMs
240pp
Price: £23.50
Review Date: 01 July 2002
Review: This well-illustrated book is the latest in a series of course material for the Open University for a first/second year undergraduate course on the molecular world. It gives a clear introduction to structures adopted by elements and compounds in the crystalline solid state. The book is divided into two parts. The first part describes common crystal structures and how they are related to close-packed arrangements of ions as well as metallic, ionic, molecular and extended covalent crystals. Interactive exercises and video material that aid visualization throughout the book are on the accompanying CD-ROMs. The second part of the book looks at the shape of carbon compounds. Chirality, as shown in enantiomers and diasteromers, is described with the aid of models and a molecular viewer on CD-ROM. There is also a description of liquid crystals and their phases, looking at practical uses such as LCDs and liquid crystal polymers.