Mathematics For Physical Chemistry Donald A. Mcquarrie May 2026
Chapter 12: Matrices and Determinants
Chapter 13: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
"Mathematics for Physical Chemistry" by Donald A. McQuarrie is a high-leverage resource: compact, example-focused, and directly mapped to the mathematical needs of physical chemistry. It excels as an applied primer and reference for students and practitioners who need to convert chemical problems into solvable mathematical forms, interpret solutions physically, and perform routine analytical and computational work. For those wanting a chemistry-oriented mathematical toolkit rather than a full mathematical theory course, McQuarrie remains a go-to reference.
Chapter 14: Probability and Statistics
Chapter 15: Fourier Series and Transforms
Chapter 16: Special Functions
End-of-chapter problems are not rote drills. They are mini-research scenarios: mathematics for physical chemistry donald a. mcquarrie
McQuarrie, already legendary for his authoritative physical chemistry textbooks (e.g., Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach), understood that the biggest obstacle to learning p-chem is fear of the math. His mathematics text is built on a simple, powerful premise: You don’t need to be a mathematician to be a chemist; you need to be a fluent user of mathematical tools.
The book deliberately avoids rigorous proofs and esoteric mathematical theory. Instead, it focuses on:
Chapter 1: Functions of a Single Variable Chapter 12: Matrices and Determinants
Chapter 2: Thermodynamics and the Total Differential
Chapter 3: Coordinate Systems
Some vocal students complain that Mathematics for Physical Chemistry is "too hard" or "too terse." They prefer a math text that holds their hand for 800 pages. Chapter 13: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
This criticism misses the point. McQuarrie is writing for a future chemist, not a future actuary. The difficulty is intentional. Physical chemistry is the hardest undergraduate course in the sciences. A "soft" math book does the student a disservice—it delays the inevitable struggle until the exam.
If the book feels hard, you are doing it correctly. McQuarrie forces you to develop mathematical maturity. He forces you to look at ( \frac\partial^2 \psi\partial x^2 + \frac8\pi^2 mh^2(E - V)\psi = 0 ) and not panic, because you recognize the Laplacian from Chapter 4.