Chemistry Demystified (TAB Demystified) [Paperback]

Linda Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0071410112 | ISBN-13: 978-0071410113 | Edition: 1

Say goodbye to dry presentations, grueling formulas, and abstract theory that would put Einstein to sleep--now there's an easier way to master chemistry, biology, trigonometry, and geometry. McGraw-Hill's Demystified Series teaches complex subjects in a unique, easy-to-absorb manner and is designed for users without formal training, unlimited time, or genius IQs.

Organized like self-teaching guides, they come complete with key points, background information, questions at the end of each chapter, and final exams. There's no better way to gain instant expertise!

ABOUT CHEMISTRY DEMYSTIFIED:
* Current, real-world examples illustrate the essential nature of the basic elements as they form various states of gases, liquids, and solids
* Covers essentials such as understanding matter; chemical building blocks; elements, electrons, and the periodic table; properties and reactions
* Includes unique Chembites, tips, scientific news, and cutting-edge industry applications not usually found in textbooks

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

HERE'S A BREAKTHOUGH FORMULA FOR UNDERSTANDING CHEMISTRY

Forget dry presentations, abstract theory, and grueling homework assignments -- here's an entertaining and effective way for those without formal training or unlimited time to get up-to-speed on chemistry and the foundational components of matter.

With Chemistry Demystified, you master the subject one simple step at a time -- at your own speed. Unlike most books on chemistry, general principles are presented first, and the details follow. In order to make the learning process as clear and simple as possible, heavy-duty math, formulas, and equations are kept to a minimum. This unique self-teaching guide offers questions at the end of each chapter and section to pinpoint weaknesses, and a 150-question final exam to reinforce the entire book. You'll also find a host of "extras" such as Chembites, tips, scientific news, and cutting-edge industry applications not usually found in standard textbooks.

Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Chemistry Demystified is the painless alternative to learning or brushing up on chemistry.

Here's everything you need to:
* Understand the components of matter
* Grasp symbols and naming standards used in chemistry
* Learn elements, electrons, and the Periodic Table
* Discover the composition of atoms
* Comprehend subatomic particles
* Execute formulaic calculations
* Understand properties and reactions
* Comprehend solubility, boiling, and freezing points
* Discern surface tension

About the Author

Linda Williams is a nonfiction writer with a specialty in science and medicine. A resident of Houston, Texas, Linda's work has ranged from biochemistry and microbiology to genetics and human enzyme research. She has worked as a technical writer and lead scientist for NASA and McDonnell Douglas, and has served as science speaker for the Medical Sciences Division at NASA-Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (June 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071410112
• ISBN-13: 978-0071410113
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #603,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money, December 16, 2003

By 

Kenneth Umbach (California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chemistry Demystified (TAB Demystified) (Paperback)

This book is a horrible waste of trees. Aside from the errors and omissions, it is condescending, thin in content (filled out with quizzes that take up many of the pages), and generally useless for any meaningful introduction to or overview of chemistry. I would give it zero stars if that were an option. Try the old workhorse "Chemistry Made Simple" instead.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars If you don't have time to do it right..., March 28, 2006

By 

R. S. Litman (Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chemistry Demystified (TAB Demystified) (Paperback)

I'm reading up on the science I've forgotten from my school days, the science I didn't elect to take back then, and the science that didn't exist yet. I initially studied Chemistry as an adult through the John Wiley Self-Teaching Guide on this subject, which I highly recommend, by the way. I then chose to study Biology and Physics using the books in the Demystified series. Both of these books were jam-packed with enough information to bring me up to speed on these topics, and I also highly recommend them.

I decided to read Chemistry Demystified because the Physics and Biology books had been so great. But as other reviewers here have noted, it is jam-packed with errors! My copy is apparently a later printing than the one that one of the other reviewers had because it does have the Periodic Table on the inside front cover. Because I saw it printed there, I thought maybe I'd be getting a totally corrected edition, but the other mistakes are still present.

In several places, when references needed to be made to the B portion of the Periodic Table, the reference instead was made to the same-numbered column in the A portion.

How such a book managed to be released with so many errors escapes me. Author Linda Williams may be an accomplished science writer, as her biography inside the book states, but she must be embarrassed to have put out such a shoddy publication bearing her name. If they didn't have time to do this book right before a release deadline, they should have delayed the book. I hope that a later, corrected edition is planned, though, because the concept is valid.

Incidentally, both the front and back covers, as well as an editorial review quoted here, mention something called "ChemBites" as being included. That's one more error for this book, because I didn't see anything of the sort in the book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars So. Many. Errors., July 2, 2008

By 

3 Paws (Hudson Valley NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chemistry Demystified (TAB Demystified) (Paperback)

Aughh, I can't believe I bought this book without reading reviews first! I had found the Precalc Demystified book to be very helpful, so I figured I couldn't go wrong with another one in the same series. Wrong!!! I am on Chapter TWO, and so far there have been so many ridiculous errors that I just can't continue with the book. Because of all the errors (and then the creeping, nagging feeling: is *that* an error, or is my understanding wrong??) the book has pretty much been an impediment to understanding. I have spent more time on the internet clarifying concepts, and with pen and paper re-working the bizarrely wrong example calculations, than I have spent learning from the book. I only wish I had not begun to make margin notes in it, because now I can't return it. :(