last updated March 3, 2009
Supplementary Notes for CHEM 2010, Symmetry, Electronic Structure
and Bonding.
If you have difficulties with the math in Engel's book, the first thing
for you to do is go over appendix A. There are sections
about Complex Numbers, Differential and Integral Calculus,
Partial Derivatives, Series, Vectors, Matrices, Determinants,
that are essential for following
the derivations and problem solving in chapters 9 to 11.
Here's a list of short PDF documents I wrote to give some of
the basics you need for CHEM 2010.
The intent of the documents below is to fill "gaps"
in math knowledge required for CHEM 2010.
If you find something
you don't understand in Engel's text, please write me a SHORT e-mail
telling me precisely what you don't understand. If appropriate,
and if I'm able to do it in a reasonably short time,
I'll try to write a short document explaining the precise point
you don't understand and add it to the list, this way the whole class
gets to see the answer.
Please don't write me things like: "I don't
understand anything in section ...", that is not helpful.
There is no point in me rewriting the textbook section by section.
Besides, there's no need for it, it's a good textbook.
It is better if you write me something like
"I don't understand how you go from this equation to that equation",
or,
"I have never seen a triple integral like in equation ... in the book,
what's that? How do you evaluate a triple integral???", for example.
So here it is. I'll keep adding to the list as required.
I hope you will find it helpful. Rene Fournier
Complex Numbers
Operators and Functionals
Function-Vector Analogy
Linear Algebra
Calculus, Functions of
Many Variables
Eigenvalue equations and their
relation to measurements in quantum theory.
A few tips on how to ``read equations''.
Determinants,
Slater determinants
He atom: orbital
approximation and separability.