4
Introduction
Dear students,
Physical Chemistry is generally considered to be a difficult subject. We thought long and
hard about ways to make its study easier, and this text is the result of our endeavors. The
book provides accurate definitions of terms, definitions of major quantities, and a number of
relations including specification of the conditions under which they are valid. It also contains
a number of schematic figures and examples that clarify the accompanying text. The reader
will not find any derivations in this book, although frequent references are made to the initial
formulas from which the respective relations are obtained.
In terms of contents, we followed the syllabi of “Physical Chemistry I” and “Physical Chem-
istry II” as taught at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Prague up to 2005. However
the extent of this work is a little broader as our objective was to cover all the major fields of
Physical Chemistry.
This publication is not intended to substitute for any textbooks or books of examples. Yet
we believe that it will prove useful during revision lessons leading up to an exam in Physical
Chemistry or prior to the final (state) examination, as well as during postgraduate studies.
Even experts in Physical Chemistry and related fields may find this work to be useful as a
reference.
Physical Chemistry In Briefhas two predecessors, “Breviary of Physical Chemistry I” and
“Breviary of Physical Chemistry II”. Since the first issue in 1993, the texts have been revised
and re-published many times, always selling out. Over the course of time we have thus striven
to eliminate both factual and formal errors, as well as to review and rewrite the less accessible
passages pointed out to us by both students and colleagues in the Department of Physical
Chemistry. Finally, as the number of foreign students coming to study at our institute continues
to grow, we decided to give them a proven tool written in the English language. This text is the
result of these efforts. A number of changes have been made to the text and the contents have
been partially extended. We will be grateful to any reader able to detect and inform us of any
errors in our work. Finally, the authors would like to express their thanks to Mrs. Flemrov ́a
for her substantial investment in translating this text.