Customer Reviews

Chemistry, Seventh Edition

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I took a couple of courses in Chemistry 30 years ago back in high school and then a couple more in college. My son just finished using this book in HIS college Chemistry classes and I thought I'd read through it for grins. I wasn't very impressed. Oh, the information's all there. But, it's presented in the manner of someone having gone through a checklist to see all the Chemistry subjects that should be taught in general Chemistry and then just including them. It's hard to explain, but I think the problem is the lack of historical background in the book. The book has little historical snippets on Chemistry *personages*, but it doesn't follow along the historical *path of discovery* to explain WHY Chemistry is what it is. The end result is that the student is presented with dry, bare facts with no place to hang them in his head.

Another problem is the lack of math in the book. I mean, general Chemistry is not exactly a higher math subject (it's an empirical science, instead). But, as an example, on page 277, in the midst of the Quantum Mechanics section, there's a sidebar explaining:

"The <= sign means that the product (DELTA)x(DELTA)p can be greater than or equal to h/4(PI), but it can never be smaller than h/4(PI)"

(I've substituted the capitalized words for the greek symbols). 277 pages into a Chemistry book and the author is explaining what the "<=" sign is. This assumption of utter mathematical ignorance on the part of the reader continues throughout the book. And yet, a mere 72 pages further on (page 349), the author assumes knowledge of Coulomb's law in an explanation. Coulomb's law implies a class in Physics which means that anyone reading this book should be well versed in basic math.

And, finally, the biggest problem is that there's almost no lab material presented or used. I don't mean just a lack of lab experiments (I initially assumed there was some companion lab manual for this book -- but, if so, there's nothing anywhere in the book that references it). I mean that the author uses almost no hypothetical, lab-based scenarios to illustrate his points. Again, Chemistry is an historically empirical, experimental science. To entirely ignore that in a Chemistry book makes no sense at all.

Personally, this book feels like a book designed for people who have no interest in Chemistry but are forced to take a Chemistry class because of silly academic requirements. The problem with this is that presenting Chemistry as merely a collection of boring facts makes it even harder for such students to get anything out of the subject. And, for anyone who really is interested in the subject, this book could scare them off. Because of this, the best I can rate Chang's "Chemistry" is a Not Very Good 2 stars out of 5.

The most significant thing about this text book is it's great generality, as a result of wich it can prove to be unsuficient for a deep study but a great help as a first reference. Also it would be interesting to say that Raymond Chang makes a very complete sinthesis throw out the book making it readible by almost anybody. As a result this text book can be most usefull to those beginning any studys on chemistry.

I use this text in a college preporatory (A.P.) class and find it very confusing. For specific definitions of principles, it is vague and unclear. Clearer definitions would greatly improve this edition.

I used this book for 3 quarters of general chemistry. Its an ok book, as I use it quite alot for my organic chemistry lab work. My school bookstore ordered the paperback "custom" version of this book, which I think is retarded because most chemistry / chemical engineering students are going to want to keep their chemistry books for future class and or job reference. A paper back just isnt going to cut it, and I am going to have to repurchase this book as a hard back. That fact that I plan to repurchase this book as opposed to finding another is proof enough of its value. As a second choice, I think the Brown / Lemay chemistry book is just as good of a choice.

Chang's Seventh edition of Chemistry includes the core material of most chemistry texts. The material that is usually covered in high school or in a first year college course is presented in the first five chapters: Basic concepts; Atoms, molecules, and ions; Chemical Reacions; Aqueous Solutions; and Gas Laws. Further chapters include topics appearing in a comprehensive first year or second year course: Thermochemistry; Atomic Orbitals; Periodic Properties; Bonding; Intermolecular Forces; and Physical Properites of Solutions. Finally, the conclusion of general chemistry includes Kinetics; Acid/Base Properties and Equilibria and Solubility; Electrochemistry; and Nuclear Chemistry; among possible other topics. The book also includes several other topics that may not be covered in a class, such as Chemistry in the Atmosphere; Metallurgy; Nonmetals; Entropy and Free Energy; Transition Metals; Organic Chemistry; and Polymers. You might want to look into these chapters if you are planning on taking more advanced courses in chemistry(Organic, for example).

I used this book for three courses in college. I did not consider myself a big fan of chemistry original, but found the subject much more interesting after opening Chang's text. I found the book rather easy to read and study. The material is presented in as much of a straightforward manner as is possible for chemistry. The numerous colorful pictures in the text made studying somewhat more enjoyable and definately made chemistry more interesting. The book also includes a handy keycard folder that features the periodic table and many other useful value tables. This book provides several useful examples and problems. It was very intrumental in forming my knowledge of basic chemistry. It is a useful tool for self-instruction. Truthfully, I think that I learned a lot more from the book alone than from any of my actual chemistry professors (no offense, but chemistry professors are some of the worst teachers in the world). I really did find the book quite interesting though (more so than my professors' lectures).

There are several optional materials that are available with this book. The first is a web service that may be included as a feature of your university's internet course programs. It is quite helpful, providing study questions and practice tests. The second is the Student Solutions Manuel. You will probably want to pick this up if you want to know how to solve homework problems. There is also a Student Study Guide. This is somewhat optional. It is helpful, but I have found several errors in it. Finally, there is a "Ready Notes" book. I wouldn't really suggest to buy this. It just has text pictures with spaces to write information next to them.

I'm not a conosur of chemistry books, but I can say that Chang has all the neccesicities for your general chemistry needs.

Absolutely miserable book. Vague and confusing, does not thoroughly explain anything. Jumps from topic to topic; leaves reader wondering where the the information came from. Currently using it as high school text book in honors Chem; most peers think it's only use is as kindling.

this book is the pits (it is actually worse than that). had i depended on this book to pass chemistry i would have failed SO i found an old copy of zumdahl's and everything became so much easier.

i am sure this is a fine book if you do not need to pass a class. it can be pretty entertaining, but if you need to learn something save your money.

I thought my brain was broken because I tried several times to understand Chemistry. The problem was the other textbooks required by my professors. When I came across Chang's book, I thought it would be written like the rest of the boring chemistry texts written for people starting out in chemistry (but seemed like they were for people with a Ph.D. in chemistry). After I started to read Chang's book I was surprised, but I doubted myself. I assumed that I would get concepts mixed up or that I did not understand them at all. I was wrong because I passed every test in my Chemistry class. I am so happy to have found this book. I recommend this book to every college student that is somewhat familar with chemistry. This book helped me pass! Now, it would be great if he wrote organic chemistry and biochemistry books also.

I am currently a chemistry student. I am not a fan of Chang as he is very dry however I found his fourth edition to be absolutely wonderful. I have been able to use this book since the beginning and still find it useful now that I am way pass the general chemistry classes. His other books are very dry but not this one. This book is so very easy to read and so understandable. I have bought a few copies as I have given them away to friends who can't bear to part with the book once I lend it to them. The problems are challenging and fun. I would recommend this book to anyone who is taking a chemistry course.

This book was absolutely horrible. Beyond the many typos and mathematical errors, the author skips around between topics and never really gets to the point. All of the example problems are great if your instructor only gives you problems using standard volumes, temperatures and pressures (unlike the end of chapter exercises). I normally keep my books, but this one is going at the end of the semester!