The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things, 3rd Edition [Paperback]

Carl H. Snyder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0471179051 | ISBN-13: 978-0471179054 | Edition: 3

Shows how chemistry affects our lives.
* To emphasize the experimental basis of chemistry, chapters begin with demonstrations that readers can perform for themselves.
* Think, Speculate, Reflect, and Ponder sections include questions that ask readers to think critically about the connections between chemistry, society, and individual values.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Continuing in the tradition of earlier editions, and orange serves as the theme for the front cover of this 4th edition. The orange, a product of nature, represents a common but complex assortment of chemicals, including many examined in this textbook: surcrose, which gives the orange its sweetness (Ch. 16), citric acid, which provides a bit of tartness (Sec. 10.8), the cellulose of its pulp (Sec. 16.11), the water of its fluids (Sec. 3.13), and its ascorbic acid, more commonly known as vitamin C (Sec. 19.6).

Crystals of this same vitamin C, illuminated by polarized light, appear in a striking microphotograph on the back cover. This photograph reveals the remarkable nature of even the most common things of our daily lives. Taken together, the images of the front cover and the back cover represent the range of the ordinary and extraordinary things of our everyday lives that are described simply but in detail between these two covers. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 3 edition (July 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471179051
• ISBN-13: 978-0471179054
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great text book for non-science majors!, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I am a student majoring in education. This textbook is wonderful because the author uses ordinary household objects that are used daily instead of substances only the science geniuses have heard of. I would reccommend this book for professors who teach non-science majors because the ablilty to understand the information is incredible.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice alternative chemistry text, November 11, 2009

By 

Lilly (Old Tappan, NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things (Hardcover)

This text is easily readable and interesting complete chemistry text that is not watered-down or oversimplified. I steered away from text books that were visually too busy. Mostly I wanted the facts in an interesting context. This book shows that chemistry is fun stuff to read about. I am using it with my son who is homeschooled.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, May 19, 2002

By 

Diane Kaskey "Sid Kaskey" (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

Most of all us lose the joy of curiousity that we all had as children as we become adults. A friend, the author, gave me and my wife this book as a gift. It is a wonderful publication; and it is a joy read. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to regain that youthful curiousity. It is possible. Whether you purchase the book for a class or for personal reading, it is a wonderful book.