Peter Atkins offers new book free as a 'gift to the chemistry community'

Scholars are able to read a free copy of Peter Atkins’ Concepts in Physical Chemistry as part of a special collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Celebrated chemist and author Peter Atkins has opted to give the digital edition of his away as a ‘gift and a thanks’, and to give all readers access to crucial material. The digital copy is available online for students around the world to access from today, 17 May 2024.

Coming 29 years after the publication of the original, Atkins has made extensive changes for this new second edition of the book, which is available in print for £75.

Atkins said:

I've had a loyal following for my other books and so this really is just a gift and a thanks to the community. On reflection, I can also see that this is a way of reaching out to people who simply can't afford the big book.

Atkins, who has written more than 70 books, said he was inspired to give away the textbook after seeing fellow author John McMurry adopt a similar approach with his Organic Chemistry book. He added that he held discussions with other free platforms but decided to publish with the RSC out of a sense of ‘patriotism’ and to ‘give the [Royal Society of Chemistry] an opportunity to show itself off at its best.’

RSC Head of Books Andy Redman said of the innovative agreement:

In a distinguished career Peter Atkins has worked to improve both the study of chemistry and the public understanding of chemical science. In keeping with those goals, Peter has produced a full revision of Concepts in Physical Chemistry, a distinctive vade mecum which provides a succinct description for a selection of over 500 key concepts, set out in alphabetical order for ease of access. In partnership with the RSC, Concepts in Physical Chemistry is being made freely accessible in digital form as well as being available in a print edition to provide the next generation of chemists and the chemical community at large with an invaluable resource.

Download or buy the second edition of Concepts of Physical Chemistry from the Royal Society of Chemistry from 17 May (scroll down for the free alphabetised sections): https://books.rsc.org/books/monograph/2194/Concepts-in-Physical-Chemistry