The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics has always provided a thorough range of critically evaluated data in a convenient, one-volume format. Over the last 10 years, revisions to the book have supported the advances in semiconductors and high-temperature superconductors; addressed environmental concerns by providing data on pollutants, contaminants, global warming, and ground water contamination. In the last several years, the handbook has added, revised, or updated 95% of its information.
This CD-ROM edition contains all of the information found in the 82nd print edition, including the following new topics:
Redox data on biochemical compounds Surface tension of common compounds with water as a function of concentration Viscosity of carbon dioxide Optical properties of materials such as binary semiconductors Interstellar molecules Radio frequency allocations
Tables updated in the 82nd edition include: Physical Constants of Inorganic Compounds-expanded by 15% Critical temperatures and pressures of fluids Solubility of organic compounds in water Atomic weights and natural abundances of isotopes-latest official recommendation from IUPAC Polymer nomenclature Threshold limits for airborne pollutants Chemical carcinogens
System Requirements: Pentium II processor or higher; Windows 95, 98, NT 4.x, 2000, XP; Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher; 12 MB available disk space; 32 MB RAM; 24X speed; CD-ROM drive
Don't let the title fool you. This is 95% chemistry, and maybe 10% physics (5% where the two overlap). Still, it's sort of useful for a (condensed matter) physicist, though not as useful as a number of other standard resources, and practically useless in general for most physicists. I'd imagine if I were a chemist this would be a very important resource. But as a particle physicist this pales in comparison to something like the PDG I get in the mail every 2 years for free. On one hand, I probably wouldn't be so harsh on this if "Physics" wasn't in the title. On the other hand, I wouldn't even own it if "Physics" wasn't in the title. So since this shit cost me well over a hundred bucks I'm not about to baby it with some kind of even-handed review from a non-physicist perspective. As its title demands, it requires the perspective of chemists and physicists both. Don't put physics in the title of your book if it doesn't make up a bulk of the contents. I got this probably seven or so years ago, so I'm not bothered by its useless contents any longer. I just look at it on the shelf every now and then, frowning and shaking my head every time I see "Physics" in the title. If you're a physicist you'll find this useless, unless you're in the field of condensed matter or molecular physics. And then, only if your work heavily overlaps with chemistry.
really helpful for physical, inorganic and organic chem labs. has everything you need, but is pretty big to carry around so I suggest printing out / scanning your most frequently used pages.
This is my favorite book. I'm not kidding. I'll go to look up the molecular weight of theophylline and find myself looking at ionization energies two hours later. Or crystal packing in minerals, or phase diagrams, or mineral content of various foods. There are a lot of possibilities for distracting me from my original purpose. Mine is the 89th edition.
This reference book is indispensable for any practicing chemist, or chemistry student. Many schools and companies have access to the online version, but it's still handy to have a copy on your desk, or in your lab. Get any edition you like, the data doesn't change much from year to year.
Are you a science geek? This must be in your collection. A massive repository for chemical structures and physics. Great for cuddling up with a cup of cocoa and warm fire.
Any physical scientist that applies such knowledge worships this tome. Even a non-practicing science fan with healthy curiosity needs a CRC for appetite whetting reference.