Product Description

General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications is recognized for its superior problems, lucid writing, and precision of argument. This updated and expanded edition retains the popular and innovative features of previous editions–including Feature Problems, follow-up Integrative and Practice Exercises to accompany every in-chapter Example, and Focus On application boxes, as well as new Keep in Mind marginal notes. Topics covered include atoms and the atomic theory, chemical compounds and reactions, gases, Thermochemistry, electrons in atoms, chemical bonding, liquids, solids, and intermolecular forces, chemical kinetics, principles of chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, representative and transitional elements, and nuclear and organic chemistry. For individuals interested in a broad overview of chemical principles and applications.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14091 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1168 pages

From the Publisher
General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications is recognized for its superior problems, lucid writing, and precision of argument. This edition introduces a number of innovative features--including new Feature Problems, new follow-up Practice Exercises to accompany every in-chapter Example, and a number of new Focus On application boxes.

From the Back Cover
General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications is recognized for its superior problems, lucid writing, and precision of argument. This book provides complete and precise coverage of the principles of general chemistry. This edition introduces a number of innovative features including new Feature Problems, new follow-up Practice Exercises to accompany every in-chapter Example, and a number of new Focus On application boxes.

About the Author

Ralph H. Petrucci

Ralph Petrucci received his B.S. in Chemistry from Union College, Schenectady, NY, and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Following ten years of teaching, research, consulting, and directing the NSF Institutes for Secondary School Science Teachers at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, Dr. Petrucci joined the planning staff of the new California State University campus at San Bernardino in 1964. There, in addition to his faculty appointment, he served as Chairman of the Natural Sciences Division and Dean of Academic Planning. Professor Petrucci, now retired from teaching, is also a coauthor of  General Chemistry with John W. Hill, Terry W. McCreary, and Scott S. Perry.

 

William S. Harwood

Bill Harwood received his B.Sc. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Purdue University in 1986. He is currently a Professor of Science Education at Indiana University, Bloomington. Previously, Dr. Harwood was at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, College Park. In his current role, Dr. Harwood continues to teach chemistry and conduct research in chemical education. He has received several awards for teaching excellence. Dr. Harwood is also active in the American Chemical Society and the Division of Chemical Education and was a consultant to AAAS project 2061. He is involved in the science reform efforts at both the pre-college and college levels. His research focuses on how best to use technology to improve learning in chemistry.

 

F. Geoffrey Herring

Geoff Herring received his B.Sc. and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, both from the University of London. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemistry of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Dr. Herring has research interests in the area of biophysical chemistry and has published over 100 papers in the area of physical chemistry and chemical physics. Recently, Dr. Herring has undertaken studies in the use of information technology and interactive engagement methods in teaching general chemistry with a view to improving student comprehension and learning. Dr. Herring has taught chemistry from undergraduate to graduate levels for 30 years and has twice been the recipient of the Killam Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

 

Jeffry D. Madura

Jeffry D. Madura received his B.A. from Thiel College and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Purdue University, He is currently Professor and Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Madura’s research interests are in the area of computational chemistry and biophysical chemistry,  and he has published over 70 papers in the area of physical chemistry and chemical physics. Recently, Dr. Madura has undertaken studies in the use of technology and interactive personal response systems in teaching general and physical chemistry with the goal of improving student comprehension and learning.  Dr. Madura has taught chemistry from undergraduate to graduate levels for 15 years and has been the recipient of a Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award.

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Customer Reviews

For the more technical student who has had a touch of chemistry prior to tackling this
While there is a great deal of convergence about the concepts taught in a one year general chemistry course, the way those principles are taught, to what depth, and the kind of vocabulary used in teaching them varies from text to text. This allows the authors to focus their teaching in ways appropriate to different kinds of students.

This text is geared towards a one year course in general chemistry for students going on to careers in engineering, biology, and other technical fields. The vocabulary of the text is adapted to build up comfort with the technical terms of chemistry and familiarity in working with formulae rather than being content with intuitions about chemistry. It also has a nice addition of the actual people whose names are given to various laws and concepts in chemistry. When the name is presented there is also a picture and a sentence or two about who they were. I enjoyed this a great deal because it brings the text to life a bit more.

Pedagogically there are several nice helps that show the experience the authors have in teaching real life students and the kinds of misconceptions they tend to have. In the margins there are notes called "Keep in Mind" that help students avoid those common traps that come to easily to beginners in any field. There are well chosen diagrams, drawings, and pictures that aid in teaching rather than being content with decoration. The text also has notes entitled "Are You Wondering" that help students deal with questions that are probably arising in their mind as they are working through these concepts for the first time.

The problems in the back are grouped according to the concepts taught in the chapter and the problems numbered in red have the answers provided in the back of the book. They also provide an Integrative Example that shows the concepts in a more real life problem. After these come a series of integrative problems and advanced exercises. These are followed with feature problems and self-assessment exercises. When learning these concepts it is essential to do lots of work with them in order to be sure you understand them and to develop comfort with working with them. It will make learning later in the book easier and allow you to take more from the course after it is completed.

This is an excellent text for students who have had at least a bit of chemistry before tackling this course. And for technical students it will be more rewarding than other more basic texts even though they both cover similar ground. The more technical approach taken here will be more enriching to them.

Engineer's Opinion
I have taken many chemistry courses throughout my highschool and college career. This book has by far been the worst chemistry book I have ever read. The extremely poor organization of examples and confusing diction is not helpful to anyone taking a general chemistry course. You will have a much more successful time using your old highschool chemistry books as references.

No clear cut directions on how to solve the problems
I have taken several chemistry courses in high school and college. However i find this book to be very difficult in understanding. I find myself refering back to my old notes and books. There are surely more chemistry books out there that could explain chemistry itself in a more efficient manner. This book does not contain any clear cut directions on how to solve many problems, in addition to containing many problems in the exercises section which was also not explained the lecture part of the book. The practice problems also does not help in solving many of the problems because it is simple and straightforward as opposed to the exercises which is very misleading and unclear. I, as a science major, do not recommend this book unless of course you are required to purchase it by a professor who does not care for you to pass the class.