Like the author’s other companion books, The Chemistry Companion provides-high quality information in unique one-page-per-topic presentations that do not overburden and distract with excessive details. The book offers concise summaries of general chemistry concepts, easily accessible in a convenient, reader-friendly format.
Suitable as an introduction or study guide, this companion presents the minimum of what readers need to know to understand the subject. It emphasizes the physics underlying chemistry. By looking at chemistry processes from a physics point of view, readers can better appreciate what is happening from the chemical perspective that is usually found in traditional chemistry books.
The author focuses on the structure of matter, chemical components and bonds, the periodic table, states of matter, thermodynamics, reaction rates, carbon chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical, ionic, and electronic equilibria. Each topic is covered in a single-page outline format with just enough detail to enable a good understanding of the subject.
Structure of Matter
Atoms. Bohr Atom. Energy Levels. Schrödinger Equation. The Infinite Square Well. The Coulomb Potential. Covalent Bond. Ionisation Energy. Electron Affinity. Ionic Bond. Electronegativity. Metallic Bond. Electronic Structure of Solids.
Chemical Components
Matter. Atomic Weight. Ions. Molecules. Mole. Compounds. Cations. Anions. Chemical Equation. Stoichiometry. Example.
The Periodic Table
Electron Configuration. Periodic Law. Periodic Table. Groups. Energy Levels. Noble Gases. Atomic Size. Covalent Radii. Ionic Radii. Ionisation Energy. Electronegativity.
Chemical Bonds
Chemical Bond. Lewis (Electron Dot) Formulae. Multiple Bonds. Lewis Single-Bonded Structures. Lewis Multiple-Bonded Structures. Lewis Exceptions to the Octet Rule. Oxidation Number. Oxidation Number Examples. Polar Bonds. Hybrid Orbitals. Polarisation. van der Waals Forces. Hydrogen Bond.
States of Matter
Changes of State. Changes of State of Liquids/Gases. Phases of Matter. Gases. Solutions. Aqueous Solutions. Solubility of Solids. Solubility Equilibrium. Electrolytes. Osmosis. Solids. Crystalline Lattice Structures. Metallic Solids.
Chemical Thermodynamics
Molecular Energy. Specific Heat Capacity. Enthalpy. Heat of Reaction. Heat of Reaction. Enthalpy of Formation. Entropy. Entropy Calculations. Gibbs Energy. Spontaneous Processes. Melting of Ice. Freezing of Water. Ice/water Equilibrium. Chemical Equilibrium. Statistical Entropy.
Rates of Reaction
Rates of Reaction. Collision Theory. Reaction Mechanism. Activation Energy. Nature of Reactants. Concentration. Rate Law. Rates of Reactions. Determination of Order. Determination of 1st Order Rate Law. Half-Life Method. Temperature. Catalysts.
Chemical Equilibrium
Chemical Equilibrium. Law of Chemical Equilibrium. Equilibrium Constant. Le Chatelier’s Principle. Summary of Le Chatelier’s Principle. Equilibrium in Gaseous Systems. Solubility of Solids. Factors Affecting Equilibrium. Common Ion Effect. Precipitation. Complex Ions.
Ionic Equilibrium
Electrolytes. Ionisation of Water. H+ and OH- Concentrations. Acids and Bases. BronstedLowry. Strength of Acids. AcidBase Reactions. Buffer Solutions. Indicators. Neutralisation. Titration. Choice of Indicator. Hydrolysis. Simultaneous Equilibria. Complex Ions.
Electronic Equilibrium
Oxidation and Reduction. Redox Reaction. Single-Cell Redox Reaction. Standard Hydrogen Electrode. Standard Electrode Potentials. Spontaneous Redox Reaction. Oxidation Numbers. Balancing Redox Half-Reactions. Balancing Redox Reactions with Oxidation Numbers. Electrochemical Cell. EMF vs Concentration. Electronic Equilibrium. Equilibrium Constant. Lead/Acid Battery. Dry Cell. Corrosion. Electrolysis.
Carbon Chemistry
Carbon. Carbon Compounds. Functional Groups. Alkanes. Alkenes. Alkynes. Benzene. Alcohols. Ethers. Aldehydes. Ketones. Carboxylic Acids. Esters. Amides. Amines. Polymers. Physical and Chemical Properties.
Biochemistry
Sugars. Polysaccharides. Lipids. Proteins. Nucleic Acids. DNA. Enzymes. ATP. Anaerobic Metabolism. Aerobic Metabolism. Cyclic Photophosphorylation. Non-Cyclic Photophosphorylation. Metabolism.
Index
Biography
A.C. Fischer-Cripps is the head of Fischer-Cripps Laboratories Pty Ltd., a scientific instrument company. He previously worked as a senior principal research scientist in the Division of Telecommunications and Industrial Physics at CSIRO. Dr. Fischer-Cripps has authored several companion books, including the highly praised The Physics Companion. He earned a Ph.D. in applied science from the University of Sydney.
"Each key topic is condensed into a single page, which makes finding information straightforward and summarises the salient points succinctly. So whether as a reliable starting point before you read on elsewhere, a bridge to further study, or as a revision guide, this pocket-sized book should fit the bill. Overall this stylish and snappy book will entertain and enlighten you, and its convenient size means it can do so while you're on the go."
—Education in Chemistry" ... a good reference source for educators who already know the information but struggle with what to teach and how to teach it. Highly recommended."
—M.W. Han, CHOICE" ... a good guide to chemistry for people who do not have chemistry as a first science … you will be rewarded with some great explanations of bonding, compound formation, and why states of matter are the way they are."
—Chromatographia
