Atkins' Physical Chemistry is perhaps the most internationally prestigious undergraduate textbook in its field. The presentation of concepts is done in a simple manner, without overlooking scientific rigor where necessary, thus giving the reader the ability to understand fundamental concepts essential for further study.

The numerous examples, solved exercises, and the rich collection of unsolved problems aid in this direction. This second volume addresses the Structure of Matter. In the initial chapters, the principles and basic concepts of Quantum Mechanics are developed, with their applications subsequently studying the structure of atoms and molecules.

This knowledge, along with the study of molecular symmetry, is combined for the interpretation of the spectra of atoms and molecules in three chapters dedicated to spectroscopy. These chapters extensively discuss the properties of lasers as well as the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance.

The presentation of statistical thermodynamics connects the contents of the second volume with the concepts of thermodynamics developed in the first. Finally, some diffraction techniques, the electrical and magnetic properties of molecules, and the properties of macromolecules are studied.