Best Books on Physical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry is the study of macroscopic and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of the principles, practices, and concepts of physics such as motion, energy, force, time, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, analytical dynamics, and chemical equilibria.

Due to the non-availability of exclusive physical chemistry books for a majority of the candidates, it becomes difficult for candidates that are naturally weak in chemistry. Very few books that mainly focus on physical chemistry concepts are available in the market.

~Chemistry is necessarily an experimental science: its conclusions are drawn from data, and its principles are supported by facts. Michael Faraday~

Table of Contents

• Best Books on Physical Chemistry for JEE
• Best Books on Physical Chemistry for NEET
• Best Physical Chemistry Books for Graduates

Best Books on Physical Chemistry for JEE

IIT JEE is one of the most popular entrance exams in the country. The exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) every year to offer admissions into the 23 IITs and 30 NITs located in India's major state and union territory. The IITs are one of the prestigious institutions in the country established by the government of India. The main course offered in all these IITs is engineering. Engineering is the most preferred course of study due to the growing IT industry, infrastructure, and increased industries and companies that mainly employ engineers.

Every year around 22 lakh candidates register while around 9 lakh appear for the examination. The high population of potential students appearing for the exam increases the competition, and one must study hard to crack the exam. Scoring very high marks is necessary to secure the lowest rank possible to get a seat in an IIT. One must crack both jee mains and advanced to get into IIT. The JEE examination score is also accepted by most other colleges and universities in India offering engineering courses. The lack of in-depth understanding of physical chemistry proves a hindrance to many candidates, which leads them to score low marks costing their dream IIT seat.

Let us now look into some of the best books on Physical Chemistry best for JEE preparation.

• Physical Chemistry by O.P. Tandon
• Physical Chemistry by P. Bahadur
• University Chemistry by Bruce H. Mahan
• Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations by R.C. Mukherjee
• Physical Chemistry by P.W. Atkins

Physical Chemistry by O.P. Tandon

This is considered to be the best book available in the country which deals with the in-depth concepts in the subject of Physical Chemistry. There are two official authors for this book, they are - A.S. Singh, O.P. Tandon. The book is very simple to understand as the English used in the books is very easy to read. The book also explains almost all the concepts of the Physical Chemistry subject. It also has a large number of problems after each related chapter with relevant solutions in the ending pages of the book. This book is also followed by a large number of students preparing for the JEE advanced exam and also appearing candidates.

Physical Chemistry by P. Bahadur

P. Bahadur is a well-known author who has already published many books in the subjects of physics and chemistry. He also wrote the book on Numerical Chemistry and is considered as one of the best books in the country on the subject of Physical Chemistry. The above-mentioned book is useful for the JEE advanced exam than that of the mains examination as the concepts of that book are very in-depth in nature. But this book is perfectly suitable for the preparation of both JEE mains and the advanced exams. This book also contains problems along with detailed solutions at the end of the book.

University Chemistry by Bruce H. Mahan

This book is used as a textbook for the subject of chemistry in a lot of universities and colleges across the country. This book became popular only because of the numerical chemistry section which it has in detail and is presented as a different section in the textbook. This book has some of the best discussions on the topics that are very difficult to put out in the words. The majority of the colleges use this book only for the section of physical chemistry and use some other books for the general chemistry. You can now imagine the level of the subject that this book offers.

Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations by R.C. Mukherjee

This book also has a nickname and it is called HC Verma of Chemistry. HC Verma is considered to be the best book in the subject of maths. All the candidates appearing for any competitive exam that has maths will go through HC Verma Mathematics Book. This modern approach to Chemical Calculations by R.C. Mukherjee is the contemporary of HC Verma in the subject of Chemistry. This book is the latest one óf all the books mentioned in this list.

Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations is also the most updated book, which has all the concepts very new to date. The explanation in this book will be like no other one as it will be simple and on to the point. There will be very little to no complexity in the sentences, It is said that the preparation would not be complete if the candidate missed solving problems from this book. The book is one of the best to thoroughly understand the Mole concept.

A number of IIT JEE aspirants refer to this book because of its depth and understanding. The book is unrestricted and goes on to explain concepts very neatly and even cover a lot of concepts. Some of the IIT JEE questions are also similar to this textbook which is why it is very popular among students.

Physical Chemistry by P.W. Atkins

This is the only book on the list that has a foreign author. This book is considered to be one of the toughest books in the subject of Chemistry and the problems in this book are of a very high level. the book is quite dense and interactive and intimate with the reader. For a first-year, the books may seem fairly tough but over time and with the increase in the understanding of the concepts, the books will be a lot easier and will definitely make the concepts crisp and clear. A lot of people fail to solve them in the first attempt or without looking into the solutions before solving the problems. So, it is advised not to practice problems from this book. But people can read this book for its solid theory part which will make you understand the concept and basics very clearly.

Best Books on Physical Chemistry for NEET

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET (UG), conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), is an entrance test for admission into MBBS, Dental, Ayush courses across India. Candidates would be tested on class 11th and 12th subjects of Physics, chemistry, botany, and zoology. Here too, Physical Chemistry is a challenging subject for the aspirants. Though the syllabus of both JEE and NEET are the same. The way of asking the questions is different. While JEE needs deeper analysis to solve problems, NEET is rather simpler.

Listed below are the suggested books that can help aspirants make physical chemistry easier and solving problems simpler.

1. Physical Chemistry by O.P. Tandon
2. Physical Chemistry by P. Bahadur
3. Errorless Chemistry NEET 2021 by Universal Books

Errorless Chemistry NEET by Universal Books

Errorless Chemistry NEET by Universal Books is a one-stop destination book for medical aspirants. The book is authored keeping in mind the syllabus and exam pattern defined by National Testing Agency (NTA) and NCERT.

The book comprises a comprehensive theory of each chapter and the following,

• Fully Solved Questions of KVPY
• NCERT Exemplars
• Last 32 Years of Medical Examinations

Best Physical Chemistry Books for Graduates

Physical Chemistry enthusiasts, postgrads, and those who love to have a deep understanding of this subject can refer to the books listed below. These books have a deeper understanding of almost all physical chemistry concepts and are leveled at the graduate and postgraduate levels. The information and explanation is very detailed and profound.

The books listed below constitute some of the best books on Physical Chemistry preferred by professors and students worldwide.

1. Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach by Donald A. McQuarrie and John D. Simon
2. Atkin's Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins, Julio de Paula, and James Keeler
3. Levine's Physical Chemistry by Ira N. Levine

Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach by Donald A. McQuarrie and John D. Simon

If you are a beginner and are searching for the right book to understand physical chemistry concepts, this is the best one you can find out there. The book is best for concepts of Thermodynamics and Quantum; the concepts are explained in a manner easily understood. The book starts with math, followed by chemistry. Hence you can find the required math in the book itself, which dissolves the need to find math from other sources. The concepts are presented clearly, and the question of confusing the readers does not arise. It is a must-have book for all ardent chemistry lovers.

Atkin's Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins, Julio de Paula, and James Keeler

Atkin's Physical Chemistry book has two volumes. The 1st volume consists of thermodynamics and kinetics, while the 2nd volume consists of Quantum Chemistry, Spectroscopy, and Statistical Thermodynamics. For those who want to strengthen their basics. The concepts in this book run deeper than McQuarries Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach.

Levine's Physical Chemistry by Ira N. Levine

Levine's Physical Chemistry book makes Physical Chemistry easy, consists of stepwise derivations and all problems carefully explained. The book is widely used for its understandable explanation.