Book and Media Review pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Review of Calculations in Chemistry: An Introduction David P. Pursell* School of Science and Technology, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, United States and begins with basic science topics (scientific notation, metric system, significant figures, conversion factors, word problems); then introduces chemical basics (atoms, molecules, periodic table, nomenclature, molar mass); brings in chemical reactions (stoichiometry, solutions, concentrations, solubility, acid− base); and finishes with more advanced topics (redox, gases, energy, equilibrium, variations in acid−base, nuclear). The appendixes include a table of atomic masses and periodic table so that the book stands alone. There is also a detailed index of topics and page numbers so that students can quickly find topics of interest. Each chapter of Calculations in Chemistry: An Introduction is presented in a similar manner. First is a condensed discussion section of a particular topic to include key terms and definitions. Summary statements in the section are highlighted in shaded call-out boxes. “Try It” questions (with space for student work) and answers are at the end of each section, followed by additional practice problems (also including space for student work). Selected practice problems include partial setup, such as portions of a dimensional analysis problem with partial conversions factors for which students then complete the missing information. The authors also emphasize what they refer to as “mental math”, that is, chemistry problems setup using simple quantities and numerical values and intended for computing without a calculator. Practice problem “solutions” are provided at the end of each chapter. The book is nicely organized as a stand-alone workbook that is not bulky and easily transportable, always a plus for students. All the student provides is a pencil, calculator, and the effort. This last component, the student effort, is often the most challenging to bring to bear on the problem of lasting learning and is often the reason students struggle with chemistry. Overall, Calculations in Chemistry: An Introduction meets its purpose in providing a workbook for novice students that focuses on both memorization and concepts through guided and repetitive practice. Of my current GOB students, those who are struggling have looked through the book and have remarked that they wish they had it at the beginning of the course. They feel it is in a format that is less intimidating than the course text, more student-friendly, and therefore, it is more likely they would use it to support their learning. I am considering it as a supplemental workbook for my GOB course.
Calculations in Chemistry: An Introduction, by Donald J. Dahm and Eric A.Nelson. W.W. Norton & Co.: New York, 2012. 542 pp. ISBN 978-0393912869 (paperback). $40.
T
here are many books (workbooks) of this type available,1−3 for faculty and students seeking practice in solving basic chemistry problems. In addition, courses that use a course text often have dozens of practice problems for each major concept within the text, plus separate supplemental problem manuals,4 and in many cases, sophisticated online homework systems5 that provide real-time tutorials as students practice solving problems. The question, then, is “are books such as Calculations in Chemistry: An Introduction valuable tools for students?” My opinion is absolutely yes and Dahm and Nelson’s book is right on target.
Cover image provided by W. W. Norton and Company and reproduced with permission.
The book targets a very specific audience of students minimally prepared for a typical college chemistry course for science majors. This audience might be enrolled at a 2-year or 4-year college and taking an introductory chemistry course for nonscience majors, a chemistry preparatory course for science majors, or perhaps nursing chemistry (the general portion of a General, Organic, Biochemistry (GOB) course). The premise of the authors’ approach to the book is that novice chemistry students, those of the target audience, are (p xii): [A]lgorithmic problem solvers: advancing toward reasoning as they gradually commit to long-term memory the core facts, algorithms, and concepts of a discipline. The book, then, emphasizes memorization of facts coupled with development of conceptual understanding. In the authors’ view, it is both the repetition required for memorization and developing the conceptual framework that yield lasting learning. The book is divided into 22 discrete chapters, each focusing on a designated topic. Taken together, each subsequent chapter builds on concepts and practice in previous chapters. The topic sequence closely mirrors most introductory chemistry texts,6−8 © XXXX American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc.
■
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Author
*E-mail:
[email protected]. Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
A
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00279 J. Chem. Educ. XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
Journal of Chemical Education
■
Book and Media Review
REFERENCES
(1) Houk, C. C.; Post, R. Chemistry Concepts and Problems: A SelfTeaching Guide, 2nd ed.; Wiley: New York, 1996. (2) Clark, J. Calculations in AS/A Level Chemistry; Longman Publishing Group: New York, 2000. (3) Obimakinde, J. O. Calculations in Chemistry; I.K. International Publishing House: New Delhi, India, 2014. (4) Timberlake, K. C.; Quire, M. Instructor Solutions Manual for General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life, 4th ed.; Pearson: Boston, MA, 2013. (5) MasteringChemistry. http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering. com/northamerica/masteringchemistry/ (accessed May 2015). (6) Timberlake, K. C. General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life, 4th ed.; Pearson: Boston, MA, 2013. (7) Stoker, S. H. General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, 5th ed.; Brooks/Cole: Belmont, CA, 2010. (8) Tro, N. J. Principles of Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, 2nd ed.; Pearson: Boston, MA, 2013.
B
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00279 J. Chem. Educ. XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
