It is highly probable that the ability to distinguish between living and nonliving objects was already well developed in early prehuman animals. Cognizance of the difference between these two classes of objects, long a part of human knowledge, led naturally to the division of science into two categories: physics and chemistry on the one hand and biology on the other. So deep was this belief in the separateness of physics and biology that, as late as the early nineteenth century, many biologists still believed in vitalism, according to which living phenomena fall outside the confines of the laws of physics. It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that Carl Ludwig, Hermann von Helmholz, Emil DuBois-Reymond, and Ernst von Briicke inaugurated a physicochem ical approach to physiology in which it was recognized clearly that one set of laws must govern the properties and behavior of all matter, living and nonliving . . The task of a biologist is like trying to solve a gigantic multidimensional crossword fill in the right physical concepts at the right places. The biologist depends on puzzle: to the maturation of the science of physics much as the crossword solver depends on a large and correct vocabulary. The solver of crossword puzzles needs not just a good vocabulary but a special vocabulary. Words like inee and oke are vitally useful to him but are not part of the vocabulary of an English professor.

If the descriptive text youre using for teaching general chemistry seems to lack sufficient mathematics and physics to make the results of its presentation of classical mechanics, molecular structure, and statisticsunderstandable, youre not alone. Written to provide supplemental and mathematically challenging topics for the advanced lower-division undergraduate chemistry course, or the non-major, junior-level physical chemistry course, The Physical Basis of Chemistry will offer your students an opportunity to explore quantum mechanics, the Boltzmann distribution, and spectroscopy in a refreshingly compelling way.Posed and answered are questions concerning everyday phenomena: How can two discharging shotguns and two stereo speakers be used to contrast particles and waves? Why does a collision between one atom of gas and the wall of its container transfer momentum but not much energy? How does a microwave oven work? Why does carbon dioxide production heat the earth? Why are leaves green, water blue, and how do the eyes detect the difference? Unlike other texts on this subject, however, The Physical Basis of Chemistry deals directly with the substance of these questions, avoiding the use of predigested material more appropriate for memorization exercises than for actual concrete learning. The only prerequisite is first-semester calculus, or familiarity withderivatives of one variable.Provides a concise, logical introduction to physical chemistryFeatures carefully worked-out sample problems at the end of each chapterIncludes more detailed and clearly explained coverage of quantum mechanics and statistics than found in other textsAvailable in an affordable paperback editionDesigned specifically as a supplementary text for advanced/honors chemistry coursesUses SI units throughout

This textbook provides an integrated physical and biochemical foundation for undergraduate students majoring in biology or health sciences. It is particularly suitable for students planning to enter the pharmaceutical industry. This new generation of molecular biologists and biochemists will harness the tools and insights of physics and chemistry to exploit the emergence of genomics and systems-level information in biology, and will shape the future of medicine.

Physical Biology of the Cell is a textbook for a first course in physical biology or biophysics for undergraduate or graduate students. It maps the huge and complex landscape of cell and molecular biology from the distinct perspective of physical biology. As a key organizing principle, the proximity of topics is based on the physical concepts that