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Book references?

Hiya, I was wondering if anyone knows any good extra reading for chemistry?? So say I know 'In Search of Schrodinger's Cat' is really good for quantum mechanics but I need one for chemistry if that is possible? Thank youu!

Reply 1

mazzaion

http://staircase12.univ.ox.ac.uk/content/reading-bank

University College Oxford has a website for sixth-formers and prospective applicant that has a reading bank - you might want to check that out, it should give you ideas :smile:

Good luck!

Reply 2

Pigster

How old are you? i.e. what level of chemistry are you currently working at? To what level do you want to be reading? i.e. preparing for A-level, preparing for interview, preparing for degree?

Do you want chemistry text books, or just general reading?

Reply 3

Infraspecies

I believe Atkins has a good extra background book. "Atkins' Molecules" I believe.

Reply 4

Pigster

Molecules is OK, but it isn't amazing. IMO.

Then again, IMO, there aren't any good 'entry level' chemistry books. There are readable books on all things quantum and all things evolutionary etc. as they can be dumbed down sufficiently that the lay person can understand. Chemistry can't be dumbed down, there are too many things one needs to understand before one can make the links and truly start to comprehend (I await that day).

Reply 5

alow

Original post by Infraspecies

I believe Atkins has a good extra background book. "Atkins' Molecules" I believe.

IMO that book's a bit meh. Very pretty, but not actually that good.

Why Chemical Reactions Happen is pretty good if you're doing A Levels.

Reply 6

Infraspecies

Original post by alow

IMO that book's a bit meh. Very pretty, but not actually that good.

Why Chemical Reactions Happen is pretty good if you're doing A Levels.

They're all lacklustre really, the issue of a lay approach to a specialism that doesn't suit it.

Reply 7

alow

Original post by Infraspecies

They're all lacklustre really, the issue of a lay approach to a specialism that doesn't suit it.

Yeah I guess that's it. WCRH is better than most though, there is at least a bit of maths in it...

Textbooks just aren't readable enough for someone who isn't really invested in understanding the content to go through though.

Reply 8

Infraspecies

Original post by alow

Well, I'm ever the proponent of the basic OCP's, also.

The issue with chemistry is that the interest is in the detail (at least to my mind), not the general topics.