Physical Chemistry
Kinetics
edited by Horia Metiu
Taylor & Francis 2006. 169 pp.
Horia Metiu brings us with the Kinetics volume of his Physical Chemistry series a completely new style of textbook for undergraduate students. By introducing computer illustrated practical solutions for every single discussed topic, he did not only perform a huge amount of technical work, but also put forward considerable effort to animate young people for one of the challenging disciplines. Throughout the text one can feel his enthusiasm to get kinetics into favor of undecided newcomers in the field of life sciences. This is understandable since nowadays molecular biology appears the most attractive. However, at the end of the day, kinetic characterization of a new enzyme, drug or a metabolic pathway is inevitable in any serious study. Therefore, good kinetists are looked for and their work will always be appreciated, although a big glory is not to be expected.
Professor Metiu gives a new opportunity, not only to the students with a well designed and thorough kinetic course, but also to kinetics itself to start from the beginning on, as a new, modern, computer assisted problem solver in many fields of today's science and life.
The book comprehends, in 150 pages, all the basic kinetic issues in a logical, developing manner. It starts with a chapter on the definition of the velocity in chemistry, continues with all elementary kinetic reactions, to finish with an example of a complex kinetic challenge and applications in enzyme kinetics.
It is clear that teaching of chemical kinetics has well tested and established ways for every target group of students. Physical Chemistry Kinetics is not the easiest introduction. It is in fact designed for students of chemistry and physics and is ‘further reading’ for biology, biochemistry, pharmacy and medical students. The traditional mathematical way is followed throughout the chapters, but the less mathematically oriented reader gets some relief when more pictorial discussion is encountered and parallels with everyday life are drawn. On the other hand, numerous exercises encourage the reader to train her/himself at her/his own level, but always let them to go further. This is especially true when one wants to implement the computational part for one's own use.
The Kinetics volume of the Physical Chemistry series by professor Horia Metiu is a tough introduction to the chemical kinetics which can hardly be absorbed by the student without teacher's support. The completeness in the systematic presentation makes the book an excellent course for students but also a good reminder for infielders. I would like to join the author in his rephrasing Mark Twain on Wagner's music: kinetics is not as inconvenient as it seems.