Customer Reviews

Chemistry: Matter and Its Changes

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...in a number of ways. The chapter on stoichiometry is the first one I flip to when I'm evaluating a new text. This book does a better job of providing a conceptual foundation for the mole concept than any other book I've seen. It shows the rationale behind the concept by working a few simple problems with and without moles. The problem setups emphasize strategic thinking by asking students to identify the 'critical link' that connects given information with the problem's goal. The "Is the answer reasonable" checks given with each problem are more detailed and more helpful than in other texts; they help students develop a sense for what is and isn't reasonable in the answer, using alternative back-of-the-envelope solutions that often provide additional insight into the nature of the problem.

The chapter on atomic structure is the only one I've seen that uses the central idea of quantum mechanics (wave-particle duality) as its central theme. It elegantly uses the de Broglie relation to tie wave and particle behaviors together, in the process naturally explaining where quantum numbers come from and why changes in electron confinement in a reaction can lead to color changes.

The thermodynamics chapter is also quite innovative, discarding the idea of entropy as a measure of disorder and instead stressing its connection with the number of ways a state can be realized. A simple model of heat flow from a hot object to a cold object makes the connection between probability and process spontaneity clear.

The approach for explaining and predicting molecular shapes is much better than that used in other texts, where students end up memorizing a large table of molecular shapes. This text starts by showing how electron domains arrange themselves the central atom, and then visualizes how the molecular geometry changes as bonding domains are replaced with nonbonding domains, one at a time. Students see the underlying idea without getting lost in a mass of detail and special cases.

I also like the "Thinking it through" problems at the end of each chapter, that emphasize critical and strategic thinking rather than simply getting a numerical answer. Ebbing and Chang don't have this feature. The "Test of facts and concepts" are cumulative tests that students can use to synthesize material from several chapters; I haven't seen another text with this feature, either.

More than 25 years ago I took general chemistry in college and then never had a need to use the skills and knowledge...until recently. Now having made a bet with a colleague that I could pass an Organic Chemistry course on the first attempt, I don't intend to lose. I determined that I needed to tune up my general knowledge of chemistry. I checked out several college level texts from local libraries, but found them either arcane and opaque, woefully outdated, or far too superficial. Then I found an earlier addition of [i]Chemistry: Matter and Its Changes[/i] and found it straightforward and remarkably clear and readable. So I took the risk and bought this edition.

I've had this text in my hands for two weeks now and am well into the third chapter. I try to work through 8-10 pages daily and then work through 10 or 15 of the problems in the back of the chapter. Brady and Senese write well and bring a high degree of clarity to the subject of chemistry, and while I am starting to recall, with surprising detail the Chemistry I learned in 1984, I am also learning much that I either missed or misunderstood back in college.

Of course having only read the first three chapters, and not being a professional chemist, I cannot be certain that I am learning all that a chemist needs to know, but having obtained degrees and a doctorate in other fields, I do feel that I know the difference between a well written text and a poor one and I have every confidence that by the time I work through [i]Chemistry: Matter and It's Changes[/i] I will have sufficient knowleged to meet the "instructor approval" pre-requisite and take and pass Organic Chem.

I'll check back in 6 months and let you know!

Amazon says almost nothing about this book, so here are a few facts about it:

23 chapters
1107 pages


"Level

Students are not assumed to have a previous course on chemistry and mastery only of basic algebra is expected. ... We belive that the level is right for the mainstream general college chemistry course." -- Chemistry (the study of matter and it's Changes ) by James E. Brady and John R. Holum

First of let me begin by saying. ITS AWESOME! But this textbook goes WAY more in depth than what is required to know for AP Chemistry. Each example is given with huge amount of details and sidenotes. When you are like 10 chapters into the book and can't remember something, the author knows that you wont probably remember and puts a side note indicating "refer back to p-- for this" as a guide. The book makes a lot of sense if you slow down and read it, I personally prefer it over the Zumdahl chemistry textbook, this book has its information right down to the spot, it is so easy that it can be explained to middle school kids. The book says you don't need to know any chemistry before that, and it is right. You dont NEED to know, but you MAY want to know, the book covers so much in depth that it would be helpful to know.

This book MAY be used for self studying for AP Chemistry examination, but I would also recommend buying the studying guide for this book and the Barrons AP Chemistry book.

This book is just like the ones they sell at college book stores for over a hundred dollars. great price! I was amazed to find out the book was hard cover.Highly recommended for those who go to college and want to save a TON OF MONEY!

I bought this book because as a Chem major, I frequently have to refer back to my General Chemistry text for reference. Mine was a paperback and falling apart. This came before the estimated date, and it was in excellent condition, with hardly any visible signs of use. Will definitely order books from this seller again when it's an option!

Medium difficulty book to read- some chapters are not concise and others leave out important information. Much is said about a certain subject, sometimes leading to more confusions. Chapters aren't extremely long, but somewhat lengthy.

In general this is an excellent chemistry book. I had just finished Linus Pauling's 1970s text and I wanted something a little more up to date.
First, like most modern texts, I found it dummied down compared to the older text.
Second, I find the format difficult to read. The extra wide pages make speed reading very difficult.
Finally, like most American based chemistry books, I get a little bothered with the importance of the SI units, but then have a section
of questions in feet, miles, teaspoons. If SI is important (and I believe it is), stick with it.

All in all, good text. As good as Pauling's ..... well, they will be both on my book case, but Pauling might be a little closer to my desk.

I have not finished the book but have concentrated on chapters with information that I have had trouble with in the past with chemistry. So far it has not disappointed and has cleared up some of the issues that have often kept me awake at night. I hope it will continue to do that.
The book is complete in it's presentation of the subjects of general chemistry with extras. It is superbly illustrated and clear in it's explanations and the example sections are superb as well. You can get it cheaper than it's pricey ($160) retail cost but if you have to pay more I think you will find it worth it.

This textbook is an excellent way to learn chemistry. It provides very nice graphics to explain the text. This text makes learning chemistry very enjoyable and interesting. Senese and Brady did a wonderful job with this book. I highly recommend it.