ABSTRACT
The objective of this chapter is simply to remind ourselves of the macroscopic properties of materials and to point out that in uses of electronic materials we are mostly interested in these bulk properties, which are the ones that we usually measure. In order to measure these properties it is necessary that we also give exact definitions of the various quantities. The microscopic properties are of interest because they help us to explain the variation of the macroscopic properties with external conditions, including any interrelationships which exist between the macroscopic properties. Once we have achieved an understanding of the relationship between macroscopic properties and the microscopic structure of a material it becomes possible to control the structure in order to produce materials with specific desired properties.
