reviews Chemistry
in Context:
Applying Chemistry
to Society
A. Truman Schwartz, Diane M. Bunce, Robert G. Silberman, Conrad L. Stanitski, Wilmer J. Stratton, and Arden P Zipp. ACS: Washington, D.C. and Wm. C. Brown Publishers: Dubuque, IA, 1993. xvii + 411 pp. Figs. and tables. 21.8 x 27.8 cm.
Chemistry:
Science of C h a n g e , Second Edition
David W Oxtoby, Norman H. Nachtrieb, and Wade A. Freeman. Saunders College Publishing, 1994. xxiii + 1098 pp. Figs., tables, & photos. 21.2 x 26.2 cm. This eeneral ehemistrv text is desimed for science and enei"~ nrvrlug studenti whc, have :$ strong fiunrlnrion i n ,>lgcbra..\Ithouch rhc ?uthors .r.?tr 1 I 1 , ~ t n u chrmlitry hackground is prrsuppoacd. ;t student w t h r ~ u t h x h school c o ~ r i cnould haw difficulty covering the wide range of fundamental topics of the first 26 pages: density, composition of matter, atomic theory, stuirllwmr,tr>rl;~wa.>iutrplr m d y s ~ s and , mole prohlcms The topm ofSI mctnc unit?, dnmwirun~la n ~ l v s l sand , s~anlfirmrfigure< are relernrd to the nppmdix 'Thc .-crud r,d>twnmcurpw rates more entry-level problems and additional example than the first. In addition, the 10 applied chemistry chapters of the first are compressed into five more comprehensive longer chanters. The text is divided into four maim sections: the maerns c o ~ i casoects of chemistrv:, chemical eouilihrium with its~thermn~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ dynamic and kinetic basis; submicroscopic view of matter including the nucleus, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and crystal structure; and applied chemistry of solid state materials, chemical processes, and organic synthesis. Although this arrangemtur I S d ~ i i ~ 10 ~ keep ~ t d-1urlent lntrrrst hlgh, s m w ~ n s t l - ~ c 1 t . r ~ mns find rhr ddny o t t h c o t ~ r r ~ loplrc nl wch s i clectn~nrgnt~wtx iw3lent L I U ~ ~ ~id Z , h h n d i,rhml eonrrprs ro pages . . ti99 and beyond somewhat hindering. The text has a friendly, conversational writing style that is designed to maintain interest in chemistry while not intimidating students. The authors make a particular point of presenting relevant, practical problems and of using "she" frequently when referring to a chemist or a student in these problems. Unique two- and three-dimensional graphs are used judiciously throughout to emphasize trends. For example, an interesting comparison of the phase diagrams of AT, COP, and HzO is presented in a semi-log side-hy-side graph. Engaging three-dimensional graphs are presented in a periodic table format for ionization energy, electron affinity, molar volume, eleetranegativity, and standard reduction potential. In contrast, however, 3D views of molecular models are difficult to visualize in some sections where the underlying tetrahedral or octahedral structure is omitted. This is particularly true in models ofcoordination complexes and in the structural analysis of the net diode moment of CCL where individual bond d~,i ~ o l e s arc ~ h o w bi)&nt~rld nwdy tjum chiorltlt In dddltlm, mo;r rnlorrn phntu.. n f s t \ rc.fo.tm stick rnolcculnv inuJcls du t ~ r tinclude thv ;,tnl,uli uftht clrmenti th;rt m a y mnkr i r d i l f d t fur i t u d ~ n t * ro relate to the chemical formulas. Relevant descriptive ehemistry is emphasized in all chapters hy incorporating 28 special boxed topics entitled "Chemistry in Color" where the sources of color in the world are related to chemistry and "Chemistry in Progress" which depicts technological ~~~~~
Once in a rare while a reviewer has the opportunity to write about a new textbook that could really make a difference. This is such an occasion. Chemistry in Context, designed for college chemistry courses aimed a t nonscience majors, builds an the secure foundations of the American Chemical Society's Chemistry in the Community, a parallel high school project. Like the earlier work Chemistry in Context develops the chemistry-more broadly, the science-as it is needed by the reader to understand issues of importance to society. Its 13 chapters start with three involving atmospheric chemistry and covering t h e composition of t h e atmosphere, protecting the ozone layer, and global warming. A e h a ~ t e on r enerm. intraducine basic canceots.. is followed bv three chanters ahout water discussine" eeneral orooerties. acid rain. and " a case study of the pollution of a lake. Returning to the energy theme the next two chapters cover nuclear fission and solar energy. Organic chemistry, broadly defined, is the main chemical topic of chapters an plastics and polymers, drug design, and nutrition, and the text ends with a look a t where chemistry is headed next. Appendixes include physical constants, brief discussions of exponents and logarithmsla glossary, and a full index. In a text aimed a t the nonscience major manner is mare important even than matter. Here this book excels. The writing is clear, direct, and pointed, and I compliment the six authors and their editors. The visuals-diagrams, pictures, charts, tables-are plentiful and relevant. Eaeh chapter is punctuated fully with probing short essay questions, entitled "Consider This"; straightforward problems, entitled 'Your Turn"; and more challenging environmentally relevant problems, often based on media quotes, somewhat archly entitled "The Sceptical Chymist". Eaeh chapter concludes with "References and Resources", which include magazine and journal articles, books, and official reports. End-af-chapter exercises include discussion questions and problems, and selected answers appear a t the end of the text. ( m e r e also is a substantial instructor's manual and a set of experiments keyed to the chapters, neither ofwhich was seen by this reviewer) Amajor accomplishment ofchemistry in Context is that it gives a balanced oresentation of the enormous successes of ehemistrv in imorovine
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ammend it highly. Harold Goldwhite California State University Los Angeles, CA 90032
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Reviewed in This Issue Reviewer A. Truman Schwartz, Diane M. Bunce, Robes J. Silberman, Conrad L. Stanitski, Wilmer J. Stratton, and Arden P Zipp, Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society D a v ~ dOxtoby, Norman H. Nachtrieb, and Wade A. Freeman, Chemistry: Science of Change J. J. MacDonald, Thermodynamics for Teachers: Basic Concepts Explained Titles of Interest Monographs
Harold Goldwhite
A71
Hall
A71
Phillip
George
H. Duffey
A72 A72 A73
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Volume
72 Number 3 March 1995
A71
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