Cohesion
A Scientific History of Intermolecular Forces

This book provides a scientific history of research into intermolecular forces.

J. S. Rowlinson (Author)

9780521673556, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 June 2005

344 pages, 14 b/w illus.
24.3 x 17.1 x 1.9 cm, 0.548 kg

'We rarely contemplate the forces holding everyday objects together. … However, J. S. Rowlinson's fascinating book reveals that the causes of cohesion have occupied many great scientific minds over the past three centuries.' Michael Sutton, Chemistry in Britain

Why does matter stick together? Why do gases condense to liquids, and liquids to solids? This book provides a detailed historical account of how some of the leading scientists of the past three centuries have tried to answer these questions. The topic of cohesion and the study of intermolecular forces has been an important component of physical science research for hundreds of years. This book is organised into four broad periods of advances in our understanding. The first three are associated with Newton, Laplace and van der Waals. The final section gives an account of the successful use in the twentieth century of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics to resolve most of the remaining problems. The book will be of primary interest to physical chemists and physicists, as well as historians of science interested in the historical origins of our modern day understanding of cohesion.

Preface
1. Introduction and summary
2. Newton
3. Laplace
4. Van der Waals
5. Resolution
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Physical chemistry [PNR], History of science [PDX]