Product Description

For one-semester courses in Basic Chemistry, Introduction to Chemistry, and Preparatory Chemistry, and the first term of Allied Health Chemistry. This text is carefully crafted to help students learn chemical skills and concepts more effectively. Corwin covers math and problem-solving early in the text; he builds student confidence and skills through innovative problem-solving pedagogy and technology formulated to meet student needs.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #381406 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 656 pages

From the Back Cover
This comprehensive book gives readers easy access to the basic concepts and their relevant connections of the chemical principles operating in everyday life. Numerous examples and real-world applications provide chemistry enthusiasts with long-term, meaningful understandings. Chapter topics include scientific measurements, matter and energy, models of the atom, chemical reactions, the mole concept, liquids and solids, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, chemical equilibrium, nuclear and organic chemistry, and biochemistry. For those who understand that knowledge of chemistry constitutes an empowering life skill.

About the Author

CHARLES H. CORWIN, educated at San Jose State University, has been perfecting his approach to teaching students chemistry for the past two decades. Through special National Science Foundation funding, he studied creative learning systems early in his career, focusing specifically on the introductory chemistry course. It is from these early seeds that Introductory Chemistry: Concepts & Connections has grown. At present, his active areas of research are web-based chemical education, conceptual and algorithmic learning models, and collaborative learning and group work.

Currently, Charles Corwin is a professor of chemistry at American River College, where he was recognized with a teacher of the year award for innovative teaching in 1994. He was also the recipient of an alumni teaching award from Purdue University in 1998.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Preface

This third edition of Introductory Chemistry: Concepts & Connections continues the concepts and connections theme. Chemical educators agree that it is necessary to learn basic concepts in order to acquire long-term meaningful understanding, and there is a consensus that motivational teaching requires relevant connections to the chemical principles operating in everyday life.

A knowledge of chemistry is an empowering life skill, and this fact demands that textbook explanations be as clear and compelling as possible. Accordingly, the goal of this text is twofold. First, we have utilized numerous strategies to make the material accessible and interesting so that students enjoy their learning experience and acquire a positive initial impression of chemistry Second, we have redoubled our effort to offer the best ancillaries and supplements available so as to give instructors and students peerless resources.

New Features in the Third Edition

Problem-Solving Enhancements. In this edition, we introduced innovative tools for enabling students to be successful problem solvers. In addition to the systematic application of unit analysis (that is, dimensional analysis), there is global visualization of example problems by frequent incorporation of:

• Concept-flow-chart diagrams that help students visualize the overall relationship of each step in the solution to many worked-out example problems.
• Problem-solving organizers at the end of the chapters involving calculations and nomenclature that provide a synopsis of the types of problems in the chapter and illustrate the correct procedure for solving each type of question. Every seasoned teacher realizes that beginning chemistry students often have difficulty deciding what is important, and the organizers clearly designate which information is critical for the student to master.

Content Changes. Without compromising the student-friendly style and the original integrity of the presentation, we made the following content changes in response to feedback received from the faculty and students who used the second edition.

• Fine-tuned all chapters based on the feedback from reviewers and users of the second edition.
• Integrated more practical applications of chemistry concepts operating in the daily lives of students.
• Added fresh art to an already acclaimed art program that motivates students by drawing them into the discussions.
• Clarified the stepwise unit analysis problem-solving strategy in each example exercise by single line-statements.
• Simplified the language in the chapter on matter and energy.
• Expanded the chapter on solutions by adding two new sections: "Dilution of a Solution" (Section 14.10) and "Solution Stoichiometry " (Section 14.11).
• Rearranged the sections on acid-base titrations.
• Added new relevant examples to organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Strong Technology Support for Students and Instructors. With the advent of the twenty-first century, the role of technology has become increasingly prominent in teaching chemistry. In addition to the traditional format, a chemistry course is likely to involve web-based delivery as well as media support. Thus, this third edition of Introductory Chemistry: Concepts & Connections has a strong technology commitment for assisting the learning process, including:

For Students:

• New student CD-ROM. CD-ROM icons have been added in the margins of the textbook to indicate where students can extend their understanding of a topic by doing the interactive activities and quizzes using this CD-ROM, which is available free to adopters of the text.
• Chemistry SkillBuilder CD-ROM.
• Companion Website. WWW icons have been added in the margins of the textbook to indicate where students can assess their competency using an explorer quiz or a master quiz at the Companion Website.

For Instructors:

• Matter 2001: A lecture presentation resource for instructors with images for PowerPoint presentations.
• WebCT/Blackboard Course Management System presentations.

Please see the following pages for more specific details about how the third edition's integrated learning program will help your students succeed.

Flexible Organization

The text maintains a traditional arrangement of topics for introductory chemistry; however, there is an unusual degree of flexibility owing to its original module format. Initially, this textbook was developed from a series of modules, each of which covered a specific topic. The modules were class-tested by instructors who had different preferences regarding topic sequence and depth of coverage. Through progressive refinement, flexibility was achieved without the sacrifice of continuity. As an example, two of many possible chapter configurations are as follows:

• Emphasis on problem solving in preparation for General Chemistry: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
• Emphasis on descriptive chemistry leading to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, and 20.

The text offers a balanced approach in the degree of difficulty from chapter to chapter. Similarly, the text is highly consistent in the number of topics per chapter and the number of objectives per section.

The Pedagogically Refined Third Edition

I have instructed nearly 7000 students in lecture and laboratory sections of introductory chemistry. The hours spent in the laboratory have been invaluable because all too often it is in this informal setting where students talk candidly about their difficulties in learning chemistry. The laboratory can also reveal a student's preferred learning style. Any experienced instructor can readily verify that some students who excel in theory do comparatively less well when performing experiments. And the opposite is also true; some students may excel in laboratory even though they are of average accomplishment in lecture.

Visual Problem Solving. In this third edition, we have taken problem solving to yet another level so that each student can piece together the steps necessary to solve a problem. First, the problem is introduced by a "walk-through" example, followed by an example exercise and a self-test. In this edition, we have added concept flowchart diagrams to help students visualize the overall relationship of each step in the solution.

Consistent Problem Solving. All problems are solved systematically in three steps using the unit analysis method. This method of problem solving is introduced in Chapter 2 and reinforced in Chapter 3. In the chapters that follow, unit analysis is applied to mole problems, stoichiometry, and solution calculations. In performing calculations, the use of algebra is strictly optional. For gas law problems, solutions are shown by a modified unit analysis approach as well as by an alternate algebraic approach.

Chemical Concepts. The general chemistry community continues to evaluate which topics should be taught to beginning chemistry students. Current thinking is that given an understanding of core chemical concepts, students will be prepared to assimilate the information they encounter in subsequent courses. Accordingly, this text targets the important concepts from which a body of knowledge can be understood. By way of example, the mole concept is explained using verbal and graphic analogies for Avogadro's number.

Chemistry Connections. One of the ways to keep students motivated is by presenting relevant vignettes. There are over 30 "Chemistry Connections" in the text, which range in subject matter from industrial processes to consumer chemistry and from historical profiles to environmental concerns.

Updates. It is important for students and instructors alike that the information in a science textbook be current. In 1999 three new elements were synthesized. Recently, new group designations for the periodic table have been proposed, and there have been changes regarding systematic nomenclature. Special features called "Updates" discuss the latest developments in the field of general chemistry.

Chapter Summaries. Although the chapter summary is intended as a capsule review of each section, some instructors have found it valuable to have students read the summary before tackling the chapter at large.

Key Concepts. The third edition has a key concept section following the chapter summary. This feature includes practical questions designed to help a student grasp the fundamental concepts.

Key Terms. An original feature in the text was the matching key term exercises. Students prefer this method of learning terminology to open-ended definitions, which do not furnish a verifiably correct answer. To further promote learning terminology, the Student Study Guide and Solutions Manual contains crossword puzzle exercises that offer a unique and fun way to learn the language of chemistry.

Exercises. Students require practice in learning to solve problems, and there are 250 example exercises in the text, each paired with a self-test question. In addition, there are over 1600 end-of-chapter exercises arranged in a matched-pair format. Answers are provided for all the odd-numbered exercises in Appendix J of the text. Complete solutions to the odd-numbered exercises are found in the Student Study Guide and Solutions Manual. Complete solutions to even-numbered exercises are found in the Instructor's Resource Manual.

Cumulative Reviews. There is a cumulative review of topics every two or three chapters. This feature does not simply consist of additional exercises but rather includes a review of key terms, key concepts, and broad-based questions that stimulate the student to synthesize topics across more than one chapter. Answers to the cumulative review questions are found in the Instructor's Resource Manual.

Art Program. The previous edition of the text received high praise for its attractive presentation and nonintimidating tone. In this edition, we again offer copious illustrations as well as the artwork of Michael Goodman, contributing illustrator for Scientific American. The use of "molecular art" takes the student from the visible world into the atomic world and portrays chemistry concepts at the molecular level.

Print Supplements

To support the learning process, there are numerous accompanying supplements and ancillaries. To ensure an integrated teaching package, the Instructor's Resource Manual, the Test Item File, the Student Study Guide and Solutions Manual, the Prentice Hall Laboratory Manual, and the Annotated Instructor's Edition have been prepared by the author and extensively class-tested by colleagues.

For the Student

Math Review Toolkit (0-13-031028-X)
This booklet helps students to be successful in chemistry. This fun guide, written in a colloquial tone, offers personal study strategies, an elementary review of numbers, and directions for using a calculator. It can be packaged free with the text.

Full-color Periodic Table (0-13-029099-8)
This handy reference corresponds to the full-color periodic table inside the front cover of the text. It can be packaged free with the text.

Study Guide and Selected Solutions Manual (0-13-031027-1)
This study aid includes diagnostic test questions for each topic covered in the text, crossword puzzles using key terms, and complete solutions to all odd-numbered exercises. Flashcards and study tips are all contained in this essential manual.

Laboratory Manual for Introductory Chemistry (0-13-908922-5)
The Prentice Hall Laboratory Manual for Introductory Chemistry contains 25 small-scale experiments that are sensitive to environmental regulation but do not require any special equipment. Each experiment includes safety precautions and pre- and post-laboratory exercises. Written by the author of the text, this lab manual has evolved from experiments performed by over 150,000 students.

For the Instructor

Instructor's Resource Manual with Transparency Masters and Test Item File (0-13-031029-8)
The Instructor's Resource Manual lists all learning objectives for course planning, recommended media resources and chemical demonstrations, suggested lecture transparency masters, and the complete solutions to all even-numbered exercises. It also includes the now expanded Test Item File with more than 4000 class-tested questions addressing each topic covered in the text. A computerized test generator is available to accompany the printed version.

Prentice Hall Custom Test—WIN (0-13-087481-7)
Prentice Hall Custom Test—MAC (0-13-031031-X)
This powerful testing and grade management software creates exams from an electronic database version of the Test Item File. Instructors can generate alternate versions of the same test, add their own material, and edit existing tests effortlessly with this program.

Full-color Transparencies (0-13-031020-4)
Add dimension to your classroom discourse with 125 full-color transparencies from the text, plus 100 added transparency masters from the author's lectures.

Annotated Instructor's Edition of the Laboratory Manual (0-13-908906-3)
This indispensable manual contains a complete listing of chemicals and reagent preparation directions for each experiment. It also provides suggested unknowns and answers to the post-laboratory assignments, and a quiz item file with more than 500 class-tested multiple-choice questions.

Prentice Hall/New York Times Themes of the Times Supplement
The New York Times and Prentice Hall bring you "Themes of the Times," a unique newspaper supplement with up-to-the-minute articles relevant to an introductory chemistry course. It is free when obtained through your local Prentice Hall representative.

Technology Supplements

For Students

Concepts & Connections World Wide Website
Student Website http://www.prenhall.com/corwin
This dynamic on-line site allows students to review chapter material and have extra practice with interactive quizzes. For each textbook chapter, there are three explorer quizzes and a slightly harder master quiz. Students can access guiding hints, obtain graded results with detailed feedback on their answers, and e-mail their results to the instructor. A selection of websites appropriate to each chapter is available and updated regularly. There is also a math tutorial for practicing the basic skills necessary for this course. The tutorials are linked from the quizzes when a student has most likely made a math error.

Introductory Chemistry Media Companion CD-ROM: (For CW: 0-13-032678-X)
(For CW+:0-13031032-8)
This unique CD-ROM invites the student to preview or review the material in the text in an alternate, media-rich way. In a summary format, it highlights the key concepts in each eChapter and invites students to view animations of processes that are difficult to explain with a static image and video clips of chemistry demonstrations and asks them to work with interactive simulations. Each eChapter includes several self-assessment exercises. The CD-ROM connects seamlessly with the Companion Website and is designed to be complementary to it and to the book.

Chemistry SkillBuilder CD-ROM (0-13-660143-X)
Today's visually oriented, computer-literate students will enjoy this interactive environment while mastering introductory chemistry skills. This CD-ROM provides students with an opportunity for extra practice on some of the key concepts critical to their mastery of chemistry, including nomenclature, balancing equations, and stoichiometry.

For the Instructor

Matter 2001 for Corwin: Instructor Presentation CD-ROM
(coming in late Fall 2000)
This presentation CD features media assets that can be incorporated into PowerPoint shows or other documents. It includes most of the art from the textbook, as well as animations and video clips selected to be appropriate for each chapter. A prebuilt set of PowerPoint presentations for each chapter is provided, as well as a browsable, searchable catalog of assets on the CD.

Concepts & Connections World Wide Website
Student Website http://www.prenhall.com/corwin
Instructors can use this website as an assessment and communication tool. You can post a calendar-driven syllabus with a simple form interface. You can interact with your students on a bulletin board for virtual office hours. You can assign homework both from the book and from the website with the Syllabus Manager and get a summary report of a student's performance via e-mail. The on-line quizzes serve both as postchapter assignments and for reading comprehension as a way to encourage student preparation.

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Customer Reviews

I like this book so much I am buying copies for my students!
I have been a college student and subsequently a teacher of chemistry for a number of years now and this is the first book that has really impressed me enough so that I want to continue teaching from it for years to come. I think the writing is clear and at the appropriate level for junior college students in a general introductory course. We only cover the first 11 chapters in our quarter, but the content, problems, and photography are superb.

I detest the racket of publishers putting out new editions every other year or so, forcing poor college students to fork over $120 per book for a course that may require more than one textbook! So I have taken it upon myself to buy up used copies of this edition (no way will the college bookstore buy them back from the students!) and distribute them to my students on a loaner basis for the duration of the course. Sure wish I had had a teacher like me! This book is a 1000 times better than the text I used at the University of California in the year-long sequence! The new edition (4th) is essentially the same book, just a nice new cover and an inflated price. My only complaint about the book is that it was not glued together well at the plant when they made them, as all of the first pages tend to fall out or pull out with too much use when students refer to the periodic table inside the front cover.

So that's my 2 cents, just please don't compete with me for the reasonably priced used 3rd editions. I already have bought over 50, though, so you really wouldn't hurt my program, but I intend to keep snatching them up!

terrible shopping at Amazon
I never receive the item I purchased. I wish there is some punishment applied to the cheating sellers.

pretty easy to read
i liked this book. the examples were easy to read and the book was a decent introduction to chemistry. if u are required to get this book for an introductory class. dont worry too much its not that hard.