It
describes in detail the role of theory in chemistry. Key concepts covered
include chemical kinetics, oxidation numbers, electronegativity, and application
of various theoretical methods like quantum dynamics and classical Newtonian
dynamics. This note also underlines the importance of an interface between the
laboratory and theory inasmuch as experimental measurements interact with the
theoretical models. It discusses advanced topics such as mixed classical and
quantum dynamics, the Car-Parrinello method, and their applications to large
biomolecules and polymers, giving insight into the scope and methods used in
modern theoretical chemistry.
This guide is meant to
provide easy access for chemistry students to develop necessary mathematical
skills in a concise, at-hand fashion. It relates key mathematical concepts that
commonly are applied in chemistry, in algebra, calculus, and statistical
methods. The book presents mathematics as fundamental to solving problems in
chemistry and for grasping more sophisticated ideas in physical chemistry,
quantum mechanics, and molecular simulations. It is focused on enhancing the
student's ability to apply mathematical tools in both theoretical and
experimental contexts in chemistry.
This lecture note highlights molecular mechanics as a
computational chemistry approach to the modeling of molecular systems. The
fundamental concepts included are: force fields, stretching, bending, and
torsional energies. It explains the different components of energy, including
van der Waals interactions and electrostatic forces, and goes further to
describe factors through which they were used in predicting molecular behavior.
Sherrill has also covered challenges in fitting atomic charges and how to
parameterize force fields. Consequently, there is an in-depth overview of the
computational methods used for simulating molecular structures and reactions.