Chemistry³: Introducing inorganic, organic and physical chemistry

Andrew Burrows; John Holman; Andrew Parsons; Gwen Pilling; Gareth Price

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199691851 ISBN 13: 9780199691852

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2013

Chemistry is widely considered to be the central science: it encompasses concepts on which all other branches of science are developed. Yet, for many students entering university, gaining a firm grounding in chemistry is a real challenge. Chemistry responds to this challenge, providing students with a full understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry on which to build later studies. Uniquely amongst the introductory chemistry texts currently available, Chemistry is written by a team of chemists to give equal coverage of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry - coverage that is uniformly authoritative. The approach to organic chemistry is mechanistic, rather than the old-fashioned 'functional group' approach, to help students achieve a fuller understanding of the underlying principles. The expertise of the author team is completed by two specialists in chemistry education, who bring to the book a wealth of experience of teaching chemistry in a way that students enjoy and understand. The result is a text that builds on what students know already from school and tackles their misunderstandings and misconceptions, thereby providing a seamless transition from school to undergraduate study. The authors achieve unrivalled accessibility through the provision of carefully-worded explanations and reminders of students' existing knowledge; the introduction of concepts in a logical and progressive manner; and the use of annotated diagrams and step-by-step worked examples. Students are encouraged to engage with the text and appreciate the central role that chemistry plays in our lives through the unique use of real-world context and photographs. Chemistry tackles head-on two issues pervading chemistry education: the students' mathematical skills, and their ability to see the subject as a single, unified discipline. Instead of avoiding the maths, Chemistry provides structured support, in the form of careful explanations, reminders of key mathematical concepts, step-by-step calculations in worked examples, and a Maths Toolkit, to help students get to grips with the essential mathematical element of chemistry. Frequent cross-references highlight the connections between each strand of chemistry and explain the relationship between the topics, so students can develop an understanding of the subject as a whole. Online Resource Centre: The following resources are available to provide a full teaching and learning package: For students: * Interactive and animation-based activities which encourage students to actively learn. * Fully-worked answers to the questions at the end of worked examples, boxes, and at the end of each chapter. * 3D rotatable molecular structures and interactive 3D animations of key reactions. * Video 'Screencasts' in which authors talk through selected examples and key reaction mechanisms step-by-step. * Links to relevant video content, to demonstrate concepts discussed in the book. * Learning outcomes, summaries, and key equations for each chapter of the book. * A 'Transition to Chemistry' site for students about to embark on an undergraduate chemistry degree, to give a flavour of what undergraduate chemistry is like. For registered adopters of the book: * A 'test bank' of multiple choice questions. * Illustrations from the book available to download.

Review:

Review from previous edition On reading the background information provided for this text, I could immediately see the potential benefit of such a book for first year undergraduate students studying chemistry or related courses. I believe that with the increased coverage, combined with the attractive layout and writing style, this text will be very well accepted by the staff and students of Chemistry Departments, particularly in the UK. (Mike Hird, University of Hull)

I was particularly impressed by the way in which the physical basis of key mathematical equations was presented and discussed in clear simple language. The authors adopt the approach taken by myself in my lectures, in which I attempt to convey to the students the sense that an equation is not only a jumble of arcane symbols but contains a clear meaning which can be subjected to a clear and concise explanation and interpretation. (Mike Lyons, Trinity College, Dublin)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this chapter and found it exceptionally clear conceptually and historically. It did not leave any niggling unexplained facts, units or terms. (Grace Morgan, University College Dublin)

Good, non-scary introduction to chemistry. (Sarah Masters, University of Edinburgh)

Where it is superior, is in its ability to actually teach the students rather than just lecture to them. (James Barker, University of Kingston)

It is such a great book and I am sure that my OUP rep is sick of me calling her and raving about it! Chapter 13 is stunning-it is so well written and it so easy to teach from. The authors have obviously been involved in chemistry education. (Mark Ellison, Australian National University)

This is a book that shines out amongst so many other graduate texts in the field of chemistry. It does not try to encompass the whole of a degree course in a single text; rather it addresses the specific needs of the first year undergraduate. It does so in a refreshingly open and 'familiar way'. Reviews, The Higher Education Academy UK Physical Sciences Centre

'This comprehensive textbook covers all of the material normally included in the first year of BSc and MChem chemistry courses at UK universities. It provides breadth of coverage of the whole of chemistry and combines this with depth of information on individual topics.' (Education in Chemistry, January 2010)

'It is an UTTERLY FANTASTIC textbook' (Jennifer Lawson, first year Chemistry student, Loughborough University)

This book would be ideal for introductory courses in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry (Chemistry World)

About the Author:

Andrew Burrows teaches in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath. John Holman is Professor of Science Education and Director of the National Science Learning Centre, University of York Andrew Parsons teaches in the Department of Chemistry at the University of York Gwen Pilling was formerly part of the Science Education Group at the University of York Gareth Price teaches in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath