1st Edition

Basic Chemistry Concepts and Exercises

By John Kenkel Copyright 2011
    472 Pages 198 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    468 Pages
    by CRC Press

    Chemistry can be a daunting subject for the uninitiated, and all too often, introductory textbooks do little to make students feel at ease with the complex subject matter. Basic Chemistry Concepts and Exercises brings the wisdom of John Kenkel’s more than 35 years of teaching experience to communicate the fundamentals of chemistry in a practical, down-to-earth manner.

    Using conversational language and logically assembled graphics, the book concisely introduces each topic without overwhelming students with unnecessary detail. Example problems and end-of-chapter questions emphasize repetition of concepts, preparing students to become adept at the basics before they progress to an advanced general chemistry course. Enhanced with visualization techniques such as the first chapter’s mythical microscope, the book clarifies challenging, abstract ideas and stimulates curiosity into what can otherwise be an overwhelming topic.

    Topics discussed in this reader-friendly text include:

    • Properties and structure of matter
    • Atoms, molecules, and compounds
    • The Periodic Table
    • Atomic weight, formula weights, and moles
    • Gases and solutions
    • Chemical equilibrium
    • Acids, bases, and pH
    • Organic chemicals

    The appendix contains answers to the homework exercises so students can check their work and receive instant feedback as to whether they have adequately grasped the concepts before moving on to the next section. Designed to help students embrace chemistry not with trepidation, but with confidence, this solid preparatory text forms a firm foundation for more advanced chemistry training.

     

    Properties and Structure of Matter
    What Chemists Do
    Properties and Change
    Classification of Matter
    Structure and Composition of Material Substances
    A Quick Look Inside the Atom
    The Number of Subatomic Particles
    Homework Exercises
    Significant Figures, the Metric System, and Dimensional Analysis
    Introduction
    Reading a Measuring Device
    Significant Figures
    Dimensional Analysis
    The Metric System
    Density
    Temperature
    Homework Exercises
    Names and Formulas of Compounds
    Subclassifications of Elements
    Formation of Ions
    Formulas of Ionic Compounds
    Naming Ionic Compounds
    Other Metal Ions
    Other Negative Ions
    Binary Covalent Compounds
    Identifying and Naming Acids
    Bases and Salts
    Homework Exercises
    Atomic Structure
    Introduction
    History of Theories and Experiments
    The Modern Theory of Light
    The Bohr Model
    The Schrodinger Model
    Orbital Diagrams
    Electron Configuration
    Homework Exercises
    The Periodic Table
    Introduction
    Mendeleev and Meyer
    Descriptive Chemistry of Selected Elements
    Periodicity and Trends: Atomic Size, Ionization Energy, and Electron Affinity
    Homework Exercises
    Molecular Structure
    Chemical Bonding
    Outermost Electrons
    Simple Ionic Compounds
    Simple Covalent Compounds: Slot Filling
    More Complicated Covalent Compounds
    Coordinate Covalent Bonds
    More Complicated Ionic Compounds
    Structure of Ionic Compounds
    Polar Bonds and Molecules
    Valence-Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion Theory
    Molecular Orbitals
    Homework Exercises
    Atomic Weight, Formula Weight, and Moles
    Introduction
    Atomic Weight Revisited
    Molecular Weight and Formula Weight
    The Mole
    Percent Composition of Compounds
    Derivation of Empirical Formulas
    Homework Exercises
    Chemical Equations and Stoichiometry
    Introduction to Chemical Equations
    Balancing Chemical Equations
    Optional Symbols
    Calculations Based on Equations
    Limiting Reactant
    Theoretical Yield, Actual Yield, and Percent Yield
    Homework Exercises
    Gases and the Gas Laws
    Introduction
    Properties of Gases
    The Kinetic-Molecular Theory of Gases
    Gas Pressure
    Boyle’s Law
    Charles’ Law
    Combined Gas Law
    Standard Temperature and Pressure
    Correction of a Gas Volume to STP
    The Ideal Gas Law
    Avogadro’s Law
    Dalton’s Law
    Vapor Pressure
    Homework Exercises
    Solutions
    Introduction
    Terminology
    Expressing Concentration
    Preparing Solutions
    More Terminology
    Increasing Dissolution Rate
    Mechanism of Dissolving
    Homework Exercises
    Chemical Equilibrium
    Introduction
    Chemical Equilibrium
    Important Examples of Chemical Equilibrium
    The Equilibrium Constant
    The Position of the Equilibrium
    The Magnitude of the Equilibrium Constant
    Le Chatelier’s Principle
    Effect of Concentration Change
    Effect of Temperature Change
    Effect of Pressure Change
    Effect of Catalysts
    Homework Exercises
    Acids, Bases, and pH
    Introduction
    Formulas and Strengths of Acids and Bases
    General Properties of Acids and Bases
    Acidity Level: pH
    Measurement of pH
    Theories of Acids and Bases
    Reactions Involving Acids and Bases
    "Add Acid to Water" Rule
    Homework Exercises
    Oxidation–Reduction Reactions
    Oxidation–Reduction Reactions
    The Ion-Electron Method for Balancing Equations
    Homework Exercises
    Organic Chemicals
    Introduction
    The Chemistry of Carbon and its Compounds
    Hybridization of Orbitals
    Geometry Around Bonded Carbon Atoms
    Physical Properties
    Hydrocarbons
    Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen
    Summaries of Hydrocarbon and Oxygen Classifications
    Polymers
    Homework Exercises
    Appendix: Answers to Homework Exercises
    Index

    Biography

    John Kenkel is a chemistry instructor at Southeast Community College (SCC) in Lincoln, Nebraska. Throughout his 33-year career at SCC, he has been directly involved in the education of chemistry-based laboratory technicians in a vocational program presently named Laboratory Science Technology. He has also been heavily involved in chemistry-based laboratory technician education on a national scale, having served on a number of American Chemical Society (ACS) committees, including the Committee on Technician Activities and the Coordinating Committee for the Voluntary Industry Standards project. Kenkel has been the Principal Investigator for a series of curriculum development project grants funded by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education Program, from which three of his seven books evolved.