Physics And Chemistry Of Materials, The

Description:
A comprehensive introduction to the structure, properties, and applications of materials, this title provides the first unified treatment for the broad subject of materials. Authors Gersten and Smith use a fundamental approach to define the structure and properties of a wide range of solids on the basis of the local chemical bonding and atomic order present in the material. Emphasizing the physical and chemical origins of material properties, the book focuses on the most technologically important materials being utilized and developed by scientists and engineers. Appropriate for use in advanced materials courses, 'The Physics and Chemistry of Materials' provides the background information necessary to assimilate the current academic and patent literature on materials and their applications. Problem sets, illustrations, and helpful tables complete this well-rounded new treatment. Five sections cover these important topics: Structure of materials, including crystal structure, bonding in solids, diffraction and the reciprocal lattice, and order and disorder in solids; Physical properties of materials, including electrical, thermal, optical, magnetic, and mechanical properties; and Classes of materials, including semiconductors, superconductors, magnetic materials, and optical materials in addition to metals, ceramics, polymers, dielectrics, and ferroelectrics. A section on surfaces, thin films, interfaces, and multilayers discusses the effects of spatial discontinuities in the physical and chemical structure of materials. A section on synthesis and processing examines the effects of synthesis on the structure and properties of various materials. This book is enhanced by a Web-based supplement that offers advanced material together with an entire electronic chapter on the characterization of materials. 'The Physics and Chemistry of Materials' is a complete introduction to the structure and properties of materials for students and an excellent reference for scientists and engineers.

Review:
'This text...defines the structure and properties of a range of solids on the basis of the local chemical bonding and atomic order present in the material.' (SciTech Book News, Vol. 25, No. 4, December 2001) 'To capture the essence of this vast subject in any detail is a difficult undertaking in one single book, but on the whole I believe that the authors have succeeded.' (Chemistry in Britain, February 2002) '...a fine addition to the library of material science... Highly recommended...' (Choice, Vol. 39, No. 8, April 2002) '...an excellent text for advanced students and an excellent reference for more experienced chemists... Its range of coverage...is certainly unmatched.' (Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 80, No. 4, April 2003) '...a wonderful text...strongly recommended...' (Materials & Manufacturing Processes, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2002)

Table of Contents:
Preface. List of Tables. Introduction. STRUCTURE OF MATERIALS. Structure of Crystals. Bonding in Solids. Diffraction and the Reciprocal Lattice. Order and Disorder in Solids. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS. Phonons. Thermally Activated Processes, Phase Diagrams, and Phase Transitions. Electrons in Solids: Electrical and Thermal Properties. Optical Properties of Materials. Magnetic Properties of Materials. Mechanical Properties of Materials. CLASSES OF MATERIALS. Semiconductors. Metals and Alloys. Ceramics. Polymers. Dielectric and Ferroelectric Materials. Superconductors. Magnetic Materials. Optical Materials. SURFACES, THIN FILMS, INTERFACES, AND MULTILAYERS. Surfaces. Thin Films, Interfaces, and Multilayers. SYNTHESIS AND PROCESSING OF MATERIALS. Synthesis and Processing of Materials. Characterization of Materials. Appendix WA: Thermodynamics. Appendix WB: Statistical Mechanics. Appendix WC: Quantum Mechanics. Materials Index. Index.

Author Biography:
JOEL I. GERSTEN, PhD, and FREDERICK W. SMITH, PhD, are professors in the Department of Physics at The City College of the City University of New York.