Publisher's Synopsis
This outstanding book adopts an unconventional approach to the theory of bonding and structure of molecules and solids. It explains the observed trends in this field within the framework of simple models of electronic structure. Emphasis is placed throughout on recent theoretical developments that link structural stability to the local topology or connectivity of the latice through the moments of the electronic density of states. This modern approach allows an immediate understanding of the origin of the structural trends within the periodic table of the elements and the AB structure map for binary compounds. Final year undergraduates and graduates following a course in quantum mechanics will find this book to be highly valuable. A chapter on basic concepts is included for readers new to the subject.;This book is intended for undergraduates and graduates in physics, materials science or chemistry departments.
