This important book describes at an introductory level the nature of intermolecular forces and their influence on the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. The emphasis is on physical insight, excluding much of the mathematical detail which has proved to be a barrier to understanding at this level. Particular attention has been paid to covering a wide range of systems, including simple molecules, large polyatomics, synthetic and biological polymers, surfaces, and colloids. Each chapter is followed by a set of related exercises. An invaluable text for undergraduate courses concerned with intermolecular forces or molecular theory, and as background reading for other courses dealing with the structure and properties of physical and biological materials.