General Chemistry

Presents an introduction to the principles of chemistry necessary to understand the descriptive chemistry that follows and to prepare students for further study. The second edition of this book pays greater attention to developing students' ability to think critically about the subject. Written for the freshman-level, two-semester introductory chemistry courses for majors in the sciences and engineering and others desiring a solid foundation in the principles of chemistry, the second edition of this book retains the approach of the first edition, presenting a thorough introduction to the principles of chemistry necessary to understand the descriptive chemistry that follows and to prepare students for further study. The second edition pays greater attention to developing students' ability to think critically about the subject. The book assumes an average highschool background in the sciences and maths, but aims to build upon these foundation to provide students with a basis for more advanced work. The "Consider This" sections highlight terminology, concepts, or skills with which students often have difficulty. "Nomenclature Notes" sections introduce chemical terminology gradually. Coverage of stoichiometry in chapter 2 allows early lab work on solution properties and reactions. The early introduction of thermochemistry (Chapter 3) logically builds on the reaction stoichiometry in Chapter 2. Early coverage of real and ideal gases in chapter 4 also allows the early introduction of lab experiments involving gases. Parallel problems (with answers) for student solution follow and reinforce the concepts in the text's numerous worked examples. Atomic structure and bonding is covered in two chapters - basic topics are presented in chapter 8, advanced topics requiring additional chemical maturity are presented in chapter 19.