Structure of Matter (eBook)

This is the second edition of this textbook, the original of which was published in 2007. Initial undergraduate studies in physics are usually in an organized format devoted to elementary aspects, which is then followed by advanced programmes in specialized fields. A difficult task is to provide a formative introduction in the early period, suitable as a base for courses more complex, thus bridging the wide gap between elementary physics and topics pertaining to research activities. This textbook remains an endeavour toward that goal, and is based on a mixture of simplified institutional theory and solved problems. In this way, the hope is to provide physical insight, basic knowledge and motivation, without impeding advanced learning. The choice has been to limit the focus to key concepts and to those aspects most typical of atoms, molecules and compounds, by looking at the basic, structural components, without paying detailed attention to the properties possessed by them. Problems are intertwined with formal presentations of the arguments presented, designed as an intrinsic part of the pathway by which the student should move in order to grasp the key concepts. The text has been completely revised. The subject index has been considerably extended and some figures amended in order to help the reader to better perceive the physical issues. However, the general purpose of this text remains the same as in the first edition.

---

Intended Audience, Approach and Presentation This text is intended for a course of about four months for undergraduate students. Itarisesfromtheadaptationandtheamendmentstoatextforafu- yearcourseinStructureofMatter,writtenbyoneoftheauthors(A. R. )about thirty years ago. At that time only a few (if any) textbooks having the suited formforintroductiontothebasicquantumpropertiesofatoms,moleculesand crystalsinacomprehensiveandinterrelatedway,wereavailable. Alongthelast twentyyearsmanyexcellentbookspursuingtheaforementionedaimhavebeen published (some of them are listed at the end of this preface). Still there are reasons,inouropinion,toattemptafurthertextdevotedtothequantumroots of condensed matter properties. A practical aspect in this regard involves the organization of the studies in Physics, after the huge scienti?c outburst of the varioustopicsoffundamentalandtechnologicalcharacterinrecentdecades. In most Universities there is now a ?rst period of three or four years, common to all the students and devoted to elementary aspects, followed by an advanced program in more specialized ?elds of Physics. The di?cult task is to provide a common and formative introduction in the ?rst period suitable as a basis for buildingupmoreadvancedcoursesandtobridgetheareabetweenelementary physics and topics pertaining to the research activities. The present attempt towards a readable book, hopefully presenting those desired characteristics, essentially is based on a mixture of simpli?ed institutional theory with solved problems. The hope, in this way, is to provide physical insights, basic culture and motivation, without deteriorating the possibility of advanced subsequent learning. Organization Structure of Matter is such a wide ?eld involving so many subjects that a ?rsttaskisto?ndawaytocon?neanintroductorytext. Thepresentstatusofthat VI Preface discipline represents a key construction of the scienti?c knowledge, possibly equated only by the unitary description of the electromagnetic phenomena.