E-Book Overview
This book presents to students of introductory physical chemistry the basic principles of symmetry and group theory, and their use in describing and predicting molecular structure and spectra. Symmetry is a crucial determinant of many chemical phenomena, and group theory is the grammar of the language of symmetry. In many cases, simple calculations suffice to explain why certain triatomic molecules are linear and others bent, or why certain transitions do not appear in molecular spectra. In this book, the aim is understanding the ideas, and skills in application of the principles, rather than mathematical rigour. The book is intended as a supplement for students who want to follow up an interest in and recognition of the importance of group theory, and who seek a short and mathematically relatively undemanding introduction. Exercises appearing throughout the text are integrated with the presentation to give readers confidence in their assimilation of the material.
E-Book Content
INTRODUCTION TO SYMMETRY AND GROUP THEORY FOR CHEMISTS This page intentionally left blank Introduction to Symmetry and Group Theory for Chemists by Arthur M. Lesk KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS NEW YORK, BOSTON, DORDRECHT, LONDON, MOSCOW eBook ISBN: Print ISBN: 1-4020-2151-8 1-4020-2150-X ©2004 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. Print ©2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers Dordrecht All rights reserved No part of this eBook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written consent from the Publisher Created in the United States of America Visit Springer's eBookstore at: and the Springer Global Website Online at: http://www.ebooks.kluweronline.com http://www.springeronline.com Contents Preface ix 1. THE RE