for all those who suffered thru physical chemistry...

[imhotepmp]

I chose to place this question in the highly technical forum since I thought that individuals here would be more familiar with the topic of P Chem than say in Off topic.

So I need to pass a Physical chemistry placement exam for my master's program and the book I used to the course is absolutely shitty. But it seems as if all the P chem books are given bad reviews. But ive dwindled down to these two books:
Raff and
Atkins

Has anyone had experience with any of these books? Also, if anyone can recommend any good books for self-study that would be helpful as well.
I really hate this subject and I want to make it as painless as possible.

thanks for reading and any input given.

marquis

 

[NickE]

It's a long time ago, but for the two years doing NatSci at Cambridge (before switching to Chem Eng) which included Chemistry, Atkins was our standard book, and I remember it was pretty useful.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: imhotepmp
I chose to place this question in the highly technical forum since I thought that individuals here would be more familiar with the topic of P Chem than say in Off topic.

So I need to pass a Physical chemistry placement exam for my master's program and the book I used to the course is absolutely shitty. But it seems as if all the P chem books are given bad reviews. But ive dwindled down to these two books:
Raff and
Atkins

Has anyone had experience with any of these books? Also, if anyone can recommend any good books for self-study that would be helpful as well.
I really hate this subject and I want to make it as painless as possible.

thanks for reading and any input given.

marquis

My fiancee is getting her PhD in chemistry at NC State right now. She hates P Chem. P Chem is one of the only subjects she just couldn't stand. She did well it in but that doesn't change the fact that she would rather be tortured to death than take anymore P Chem classes.

With that being said I know she owns the Atkins book. She only keeps the books that she feel are relevant and useful so I guess her suggestion would be Atkins.

 

[rgwalt]

I used Atkins for PChem as well. I didn't hold on to the book as it is so commonly available at libraries, but I remember it not being a bad text.

Ryan

 

[imhotepmp]

hmm seems Atkins is used quite often. I decided to get Atkins since its like a third of the cost of Raff. Thanks for all the input


marquis