Understanding Solids: The Science of Materials

A modern introduction to the subject taking a unique integrated approach designed to appeal to both science and engineering students. Covering a broad spectrum of topics, this book includes numerous up-to-date examples of real materials with relevant applications and a modern treatment of key concepts. The science bias allows this book to be equally accessible to engineers, chemists and physicists.
* Carefully structured into self-contained bite-sized chapters to enhance student understanding
* Questions have been designed to reinforce the concepts presented
* Includes coverage of radioactivity
* Relects a rapidly growing field from the science perspective

Understanding Solids: The Science of Materials is a modern introduction to the structures and properties of solids. Taking an integrated approach, designed to appeal to both science and engineering students, the book develops an understanding of the origin of both physical and chemical properties of solids from a foundation of chemical bonding, which leads naturally to an appreciation of the ways in which atoms can aggregate and so generate solid structures.

The book is divided into five sections covering: structures and microstructures; classes of materials; reactions and transformations; physical properties; and nuclear properties of solids. A broad spectrum of topics illustrates these principles and numerous up-to-date examples of real materials with important applications are included. Each chapter is self-contained and contains both self-assessment style questions as well as traditional problems and exercises, designed to reinforce concepts and enhance understanding of the subject. Further reading suggestions provided in each chapter allow for additional exploration of key concepts. Many chapters contain appendices with more in-depth information on the subject.

• a modern, integrated approach to the science of materials.
• equally accessible to both engineers and scientists.
• carefully structured into self-contained chapters.
• macro- , micro- and nanoscale properties described.
• questions in each chapter to enhance student understanding.

Written by an author with many years teaching and research experience, Understanding Solids will prove invaluable to students on traditional materials science and engineering courses as well as those studying chemistry, physics and geology needing an introduction to the science of materials.