Chemical Demonstrations : A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry Vol 1 [Hardcover]

Bassam Z. Shakhashiri (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0299088901 | ISBN-13: 978-0299088903 | Publication Date: May 15, 1983 | Edition: 1

    The demonstrations capture interest, teach, inform, fascinate, amaze, and perhaps, most importantly, involve students in chemistry. Nowhere else will you find books that answer, "How come it happens? . . . Is it safe? . . . What do I do with all the stuff when the demo is over?"
    Shakhashiri and his collaborators offer 282 chemical demonstrations arranged in 11 chapters. Each demonstration includes seven sections: a brief summary, a materials list, a step-by-step account of procedures to be used, an explanation of the hazards involved, information on how to store or dispose of the chemicals used, a discussion of the phenomena displayed and principles illustrated by the demonstration, and a list of references.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 "Even where the chemistry is familiar, teachers at all levels—from school to university-could learn how to present it in a memorable way."—Education in Chemistry

About the Author

Bassam Z. Shakhashiri is professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and founder of the Institute for Chemical Education.  He is a recipient of the  American Chemical Society's James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry as well as many other awards.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press; 1 edition (May 15, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0299088901
• ISBN-13: 978-0299088903
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #559,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All teachers of chemistry should have access to this book., October 22, 2003

By 

E. Jensen (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chemical Demonstrations : A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry Vol 1 (Hardcover)

This is the first volume in Shakhashiri's unequalled Chemical Demonstrations series. There are over 80 demonstrations in this book, each one with a list of required materials, a detailed procedure, notes on hazards and disposal, a discussion of the chemical principles involved, and references. The demonstrations cover the areas of thermochemistry (Chapter 1), Chemiluminescence (Chapter 2), Polymers (Chapter 3), and Equilibria of Metal Ion Precipitates and Complexes (Chapter 4). Included in the introductory text is an article by Richard W. Ramette entitled "Exocharmic Reactions" which relates how chemical demonstrations for teaching purposes have evolved and what qualities the successful demonstrator should possess for maximum impact.

There is absolutely nothing so good as a demonstration for getting students interested in chemistry and keeping them interested. Demonstrations may take a bit of extra work on the part of the teacher, but they are worth the effort, and the effort is minimal when Shakhashiri has written such a magnificant collection of useful experiments.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is Great!!!, February 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chemical Demonstrations : A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry Vol 1 (Hardcover)

I acutally love this book for chem demonstrations. Shakhashiri gives in depth explanations for all of his demonstrations and it is just a great book. I recommend this book to anyone who is doing any demonstrations.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE FOR CHEMISTRY TEACHERS!, October 30, 2005

By 

Ms. B "HS Chem Teacher" (Topeka, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chemical Demonstrations : A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry Vol 1 (Hardcover)

I am a first year teacher and this book has been the best investment I've made. I may have had to buy it with my own money, but it has been worth every cent. Lots of ideas are presented in this book and it gives really good ways to integrate the demonstrations to teach particular concepts. I plan to buy the other three books by this author.