Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics

By James N. Spencer, George M. Bodner, Lyman H. Rickard

Book Overview

Spencer's Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics is the most successful reform project published for the General Chemistry course. The authors have built the text on the recommendations of the ACS's Task Force on the General Chemistry Curriculum and suggestions from the adopters of previous editions. This innovative text provides a sixteen-chapter introduction to the fundamental concepts of chemistry. The material is supplemented by special topics at the end of each chapter. There are three major themes that link the content of the book: the process of science, the relationship between molecular structure and physical/chemical properties, and the relationship between the microscopic and macroscopic levels. Spencer's Chemistry can work successfully in both small and large lecture courses. With the addition of CATALYST mastery assignments to WileyPLUS, students now have the opportunity to develop even stronger problem solving skills and deeper conceptual understanding. CATALYST empowers students to develop the understanding of essential chemistry concepts needed to work problems they may never have seen before (as opposed to mimicking examples). They develop an understanding of how to assemble the information they need to begin more complex problems and employ strategies to move through them. This skill is absolutely critical in chemistry; students must be able to analyze and approach novel problems and work their way through them. The Spencer text pairs nicely with Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry, 4th Edition by Richard S. Moog and John J. Farrell. http: //www.wiley.com/college/moog

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 047012928X
• ISBN13: 9780470129289
• Release Date: February 2008
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 737 Pages
• Weight: 4.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 8.8" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

One of the better Chemistry books I've attempted

Chemistry has never been my strong point - I've never been overly BAD at it... just not all that great at it either... and I remember taking it in Highschool and struggling with my book. I'd struggle to understand it and struggle to keep my eyes open while reading it. This book is far better then the several I'd fought through in Highschool. It puts things into terms that were easy to relate to. Will I ever be a Chemist - no, but this is the first book that actually made moles something that I felt I understood rather then just memorized. There are tons of pictures, diagrams, and charts to look at - and most things are in fairly simplistic terms. Chapter list: Elements and Compounds The Mole The Structure of the Atom The Covalent Bond Ionic and Metallic Bonds Gases Making and Breaking of Bonds Liquids and Solutions Solids The Connection Between Kinetics and Equilibrium Acids and Bases Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Chemical Thermodynamics Kinetics Nuclear Chemistry Chemical Analysis The biggest complaint I have heard from my teacher is that the chapters are not in a fluent order for teaching - so if you are home schooling or a professor that might be something you want to keep in mind. For example we had to do Chapter 5 prior to Chapter 2 because if you don't know the difference between Metals, Non-metals and semi-metals (in Chapter 5) then doing equations is much harder (Chapter 2). I don't know if this is the BEST Chemistry book - but of the ones I've encountered, I'd pick this one.