Chemical Bonds: An Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Structure

Abstract

This book is intended to provide a reasonably complete introduction to atomic and molecular structure and bonding for science students. Parts of the book are revised and expanded versions of appropriate sections from Basic Principles of Chemistry, which I coauthored with Gilbert P. Haight, Jr. The basic approach of using illustrations profusely in presenting concepts has been retained in this monograph. The material on molecular structure is organized roughly in order of molecular size, proceeding from diatomic molecules in Chapter 3 to the "infinitely large" atomic clusters in Chapter 6, which deals with the structures of solids. Although Chapter 3 is loaded with "teaching molecules" (simple molecules observed only at high temperatures and low pressures), the emphasis in the rest of the book is on "real molecules." Each chapter concludes with a large selection of questions and problems.