Electrostatics at the Molecular Level

by Ulrich Zurcher

Overview

Electrostatic forces are essential for the hierarchical structure of matter: electrons are bound to the atomic nucleus by electrostatic forces; atoms carry (partial) charges and ions with opposite charges attract and form (chemical) bonds. Small residual electrostatic forces between molecules allow them to form macroscopic structures such as crystals. Electrostatic interactions explain pseudo-forces used in popular computer programs used to model properties of atoms, molecules, and proteins. By beginning with the basics and then diving deeper into the topic, this book aims to familiarize the reader with electrostatic forces at the atomic and molecular level.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781643271835
Publisher:	Morgan and Claypool Publishers
Publication date:	10/24/2018
Series:	Iop Concise Physics
Pages:	113
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Ulrich Zürcher earned a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Basel in Switzerland in 1989. He took several postdoctoral positions in Theoretical Physical Chemistry (at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at Boston University) and Statistical Physics (at Clarkson University now at the University of Michigan). He then began teaching at the undergraduate level, first at the University of Rhode Island and since 2003 at Cleveland State University. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2010 and to Professor in 2017.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents: Preface / Acknowledgments / Author biography / Symbols / 1. Introduction / 2. Physical principles / 3. Electrostatics / 4. Properties of atoms / 5. Properties of small molecules / 6. Intermolecular forces