Chemistry: Concepts and Problems: A Self-Teaching Guide 2nd Edition

Book Preface

How to Use This Book

You can use Chemistry: Concepts and Problems as a self-instructional text requir­ing no chemistry background or as a supplementary text for any general chemistry course. Each chapter is divided into objectives, a programmed study section, a self test, and test answers.

Objectives. By examining the chapter objectives, you can determine what in­formation is contained in the chapter. If you already know the material, take the self-test at the end of the chapter. Review those questions you missed by checking the frame references given with the answer to each question.

Programmed study frames. The body of each chapter is divided into numbered frames. Each frame contains new information, a problem, or an example of a concept with one or more questions for you to answer. Answers for the questions in each frame are given below the questions. Cover the book’s answers with your hand or a piece of paper. Try to answer each question yourself and then compare your answer with the printed answer. If your answer does not agree with the printed one, reread the frame and try to determine why. Each frame is built upon preceding frames. Therefore, if the material is new to you, go through the frames in sequence. Skipping ahead will cause you to miss important information or practice.

Self-test. The self-test at the end of each chapter will help you to determine if you have mastered the chapter material. After completing the chapter, take the test. Refer back to the chapter only if you need formulas or tables to answer specific questions. Compare your answers with those given immediately following the test. If your answers do not agree with the printed ones, review the appropriate frames cited after each answer.

The authors assume no prerequisites except simple high school algebra. How­ever, each chapter builds upon the information provided in previous chapters, so we recommend that the chapters be covered in sequence.  This book has been used by thousands of students both with and without background in chemistry. They have successfully learned from it, and we hope that you will, too.

Although we have tried to make this book as useful as possible to the student, any suggestions for improving future revisions would be appreciated. Please ad­dress your comments to: