Fractals in Chemistry (Oxford Chemistry Primers)

The patterns of frost on a cold window, eroded landscapes, and particles grown in an aerosol all have forms that are conventionally regarded as irregular, with little or no symmetry. In Fractals in Chemistry, the reader is introduced to the fractal dimension, a concept that allows for a unified description of such diverse and irregular objects, and implies that they all possess heretofore unperceived symmetries. The text explains how the growth of such objects is controlled by similar, simple processes, and how modest experiments bring to life the principles involved. Topics include fractal forms, fractal growth, characterizing fractals, and chemistry in fractal environments. Throughout, the text emphasizes the relevance of fractal concepts to the structure and chemistry of porous solids and to the growth of polymers and colloids in liquid and gaseous phases. Concise and easy-to-read, this book is ideal for students and researchers in chemistry, physics, and materials science.