Kakkar | Mathematical Foundations for Physical and Quantum Chemistry | Buch | 978-1-394-36801-3 | www.sack.de

Buch, Englisch, 560 Seiten, Format (B × H): 186 mm x 263 mm, Gewicht: 1188 g

Kakkar

Mathematical Foundations for Physical and Quantum Chemistry


1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-394-36801-3
Verlag: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Buch, Englisch, 560 Seiten, Format (B × H): 186 mm x 263 mm, Gewicht: 1188 g

ISBN: 978-1-394-36801-3
Verlag: John Wiley & Sons Inc


Bridges abstract mathematics with chemistry, physics, and engineering problem-solving

Students in chemistry, physics, and materials science often struggle to connect abstract mathematics with real physical applications. Mathematical Foundations for Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering presents complex mathematical ideas in a student-friendly, step-by-step style, ensuring readers never lose sight of the molecule.

Across fourteen carefully structured chapters, the book progresses logically from vectors, linear vector spaces, and matrix characteristics, through group theory, Fourier and Laplace transforms, to special functions and partial differential equations.

Designed specifically to bridge the gap between pure mathematics and the physical sciences, this comprehensive text introduces mathematical problems first, followed immediately by practical applications in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and chemical kinetics. It includes unique pedagogical features like Fact Boxes and Red Flags to guide learners.

The book offers: - A logical progression across fourteen chapters, moving from vector spaces and matrices to partial differential equations
- Practical applications drawn directly from physical chemistry, quantum mechanics, molecular spectroscopy, and advanced chemical kinetics
- Comprehensive coverage of group theory, Fourier transforms, and Laplace transforms tailored for scientific problem-solving

- Student-friendly features including Math Textboxes, Fact Boxes, and Red Flags to prevent common mistakes
- Eleven extensive appendices containing standard character tables, transform properties, special function formulas, and vital numerical methods

Designed for upper undergraduate and postgraduate students in chemistry, physics, and materials science, this textbook also serves engineering and molecular biology majors. It equips readers with the essential analytical tools needed to confidently tackle complex problems across the physical sciences.

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Weitere Infos & Material


Preface xvii

Acknowledgments xxiii

About the Companion Website xxv

1 Vectors and Coordinate Systems 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Vector Spaces and Linear Independence 5

1.3 Vector Calculus and Fields 6

1.4 Line and Surface Integrals (Conservative Fields) 14

1.5 Orthogonal Curvilinear Coordinates 21

1.6 Spherical Polar Coordinates 25

1.7 Cylindrical Coordinates 26

1.8 Summary 27

Further Reading 29

Exercises 29

2 Linear Vector Spaces 33

2.1 Introduction 33

2.2 What Is a Linear Vector Space? 33

2.3 Dirac Notation 47

2.4 Hilbert Spaces 48

2.5 Some Useful Inequalities 51

2.6 Summary 55

Further Reading 56

Exercises 56

3 Linear Transformations and Operators 59

3.1 Introduction 59

3.2 Linear Transformations 60

3.3 Applications to Quantum Chemistry 62

3.4 Matrices as Linear Operators 65

3.5 Outer Products 68

3.6 Geometrical Operations 69

3.7 Affine Transformations 76

3.8 Affine Transformations as the Building Blocks of Learning: Neural Networks 79

3.9 Summary 89

3.10 Key Connections 89

Further Reading 90

Exercises 90

4 Matrix Characteristics and Quantum-mechanical Operators 95

4.1 Introduction 95

4.2 Some Definitions 96

4.3 Special Types of Matrices and Their Physical Roles 99

4.4 The Core Idea: Finding the “Axes” of a Transformation 106

4.5 Properties of Hermitian Matrices 107

4.6 Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues of Unitary Matrices 109

4.7 Commuting Operators and Simultaneous Measurement 110

4.8 Orthogonality of Eigenvectors of Normal Matrices 112

4.9 Transition to Eigenvalue Problems 113

4.10 Summary 114

Further Reading 114

Exercises 114

5 Eigenvalue Problems, Orthogonality, and Completeness 119

5.1 Introduction 119

5.2 Determination of Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors of a Matrix 120

5.3 Algebraic Versus Geometric Multiplicity: The Key to Diagonalization 125

5.4 Degenerate Eigenvalues 127

5.5 Gram–Schmidt Orthogonalization Process 129v 5.6 Completeness 136

5.7 Summary 139

Further Reading 140

Exercises 140

6 Diagonalization of Matrices 143

6.1 Introduction 143

6.2 Change of Basis and Similarity Transformation 144

6.3 Matrix Diagonalization 148

6.4 Quadratic and Hermitian Forms 152

6.5 Quadratic Surfaces 156

6.6 Simultaneous Diagonalization 161

6.7 Summary 170

Further Reading 170

Exercises 170

7 Group Theory and Symmetry 175

7.1 Motivation and Overview 175

7.2 Introduction 177

7.3 Symmetry Operations and Point Groups 177

7.4 Mathematical Foundations: What Is a Group? 188

7.5 Group Multiplication Table 190

7.6 Classification of Molecules into Point Groups 193

7.7 Matrix Representation of Symmetry Operations 200

7.8 Matrix Representation of a Group 203

7.9 Order, Similarity Transformations, and Matrix Characters 205

7.10 Reducible and Irreducible Representations 209

7.11 The Great Orthogonality Theorem (GOT) 210

7.12 Character Tables 211

7.13 Applications of Group Theory in Chemistry 213

7.14 Symmetry in Periodic Structures: A Minimal Mathematical Note 214

7.15 Summary 219

Further Reading 219

Exercises 219

8 Applications of Group Theory 223

8.1 Introduction and Motivation 223

8.2 Vibrational Analysis: General Principles 223

8.3 Vibrational Analysis: The Water Molecule (;2;) 225

8.4 Infrared and Raman Activity 232

8.5 MOs and Symmetry 239

8.6 The p-systems 249

8.7 Additional Conceptual Applications 255

8.8 Summary 258

8.9 Practice Problems 258

Further Reading 258

Exercises 259

9 Limits, Series, and Power-series Expansions 263

9.1 Limit of a Function 263

9.2 Taylor and Maclaurin Series 266

9.3 Binomial Expansion 268

9.4 Tests of Series Convergence 269

9.5 Fourier Series 274

9.6 Summary 290

Further Reading 290

Exercises 291

10 Fourier Transforms 295

10.1 Introduction 295

10.1.1 From Discrete to Continuous Spectrum 296

10.2 The Dirac Delta Function 303

10.3 Time and Frequency Domains 305

10.4 Properties of the FT 310

10.5 Fourier Sine and Cosine Transforms 311

10.6 Applications of Fourier Transforms 313

10.7 Summary 330

Further Reading 331

Exercises 331

11 Laplace Transforms 335

11.1 Introduction 335

11.2 Laplace Transform 336

11.3 Inverse Laplace Transforms 343

11.4 Some Properties of the Laplace Transform 345

11.5 Solution of Initial-value Problems 349

11.6 Applications in Electrochemistry and Chemical Kinetics 357

11.7 Summary 362

Further Reading 362

Exercises 363

12 Linear Differential Equations 367

12.1 Introduction 367

12.2 Linear Independence and Wronskian 368

12.3 Power-Series Method 371

12.4 Classification of Points 378

12.5 Case Study: Legendre’s Equation 381

12.6 Connections to Chemistry and Physics 394

12.7 Summary 395

Further Reading 396

Exercises 396

13 Special Functions 401

13.1 Introduction 401

13.2 Properties of Legendre Polynomials 402

13.3 Associated Legendre Polynomials 411

13.4 Other Orthogonal Polynomials 416

13.5 Summary 431

Further Reading 434

Exercises 434

14 Partial Differential Equations 437

14.1 Introduction 437

14.2 The “Big Three” Partial Differential Equations 437

14.3 The Stretched String: Wave Equation 438

14.4 The Unified View: Separation of Variables for the “Big Three” 446

14.5 Molecular Vibrations: From Strings to Spectra 447

14.6 Fourier Superposition and Physical Interpretation 448

14.7 Fundamentals and Overtones 448

14.8 Three-dimensional Wave Equation and Helmholtz Form 448

14.9 From Classical Waves to Quantum Operators 449

14.10 In-depth Applications and Examples: The Heat and Laplace Equations 451

14.11 Summary and Conclusions 459

Further Reading 460

Exercises 460

Appendix A: Character Tables of Common Molecular Point Groups 465

Appendix B: Fourier Transform Pairs and Properties (Unitary Convention) 471

Appendix C: Laplace Transform Table (Compatible With Book Convention) 475

Appendix D: Special Functions: Definitions, Orthogonality, and Recurrence Relations 479

Appendix E: Differential Operators in Cartesian, Cylindrical, and Spherical Coordinates 483

Appendix F: Vector Calculus Identities 487

Appendix G: Linear Algebra Identities and Matrix Decompositions 491

Appendix H: Numerical Methods Reference Sheet 497

Appendix I: Physical Constants and Conversions 501

Appendix J: Extended Proofs and Derivations 505

Appendix K: Notations and Conventions 525

Index 527


RITA KAKKAR, PhD, is a former Senior Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry and Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Delhi, where she completed a distinguished 37-year career teaching Physical Chemistry. She has published over 200 research papers in Computational Chemistry, supervised 50 doctoral theses, and authored a book on atomic and molecular spectroscopy published by Cambridge University Press.



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