The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things [Paperback]

Cathy Cobb (Author), Monty L. Fetterolf (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591027713 | ISBN-13: 978-1591027713 | Publication Date: January 26, 2010

This book challenges the perception of chemistry as too difficult to bother with and too clinical to be any for. Cathy Cobb and Monty L Fetterolf, both professional chemists and experienced educators, introduce readers to the magic, elegance, and, yes, joy of chemistry. From the fascination of fall foliage and fireworks, to the functioning of smoke detectors and computers, to the fundamentals of digestion (as when good pizza goes bad!), the authors illustrate the concepts of chemistry in terms of everyday experience, using familiar materials. The authors begin with a bangs colourful bottle rocket assembled from common objects you find in the garage - and then present the principles of chemistry using household chemicals and friendly, non-technical language. They guide the reader through the basics of atomic structure, the nature of molecular bonds, and the vibrant universe of chemical reactions. Using analogy and example to illuminate essential concepts such as thermodynamics, photochemistry, electrochemistry, and chemical equilibrium, they explain the whys and wherefores of chemical reactions. Hands-on demonstrations, selected for their ease of execution and relevance, illustrate basic principles, and lively commentaries emphasise the fun and fascination of learning about chemistry. This delightful and richly informative book amply proves that chemistry can appeal to our intuition, logic, and - if we are willing to get down and dirty - our sense of enjoyment too.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Think of this as a chemistry education condensed into a single book: a lightning tour of the field for the uninitiated. What the work lacks in depth is made up for in breadth, covering all the material of a general chemistry course along with organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry and biochemistry; there's even a chapter on forensic chemistry. Cobb and Fetterolf, professors of chemistry at the University of South Carolina, avoid math and focus on real-world examples. They explain everything from flatulence (the chemical composition of intestinal gas) to pizza cheese (why mozzarella rather than, say, parmesan?). This may sound a lot like the dozens of introductory chemistry books on the market. But unlike most others, this book comes with a lab component (supplies not included). Every chapter is preceded by an experiment (some quite complicated) using household goods, though someone inexperienced in laboratory techniques may find the directions difficult to follow. The explanations of principles fly past, and Cobb and Fetterolf avoid oversimplifying the chemistry, which may leave some readers confused. Whether or not readers fully understand the principles of chemistry by the end of the book, they will at least have a better understanding of the world around them and enough everyday trivia to hold their own at a cocktail party. B&w illus.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Cathy Cobb (Aiken, SC) is the author of Magick, Mayhem, and Mavericks: The Spirited History of Physical Chemistry and, with H. Goldwhite, Creations of Fire: Chemistry’s Lively History from Alchemy to the Atomic Age. She is currently an instructor of calculus and physics at Aiken Preparatory School and an adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of South Carolina at Aiken.

Monty L. Fetterolf (Aiken, SC) is professor of chemistry at the University of South Carolina at Aiken. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 393 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (January 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591027713
• ISBN-13: 978-1591027713
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great chemistry book with a lot of home-grown experiments., January 24, 2006

By 

K. L Sadler "Dr. Karen L. Sadler" (Freedom, Pa. USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things (Hardcover)

I've been teaching hearing students at a local community college chemistry for the last two years, and enjoying it immensely. What I have not enjoyed was trying to find a decent textbook to use. The one we are currently using by Karen Timberlake is pretty good, especially given the horrendous book I started out with. However, I've been looking for some more chem books that can bring chemistry not down to the level of the students, but rather illustrate how chemistry is involved in our daily world.

The first book I got was a great book on the individual elements. that still wasn't what I was looking for. This book by Cobb and Fetterolf was exactly what I was looking for. Not only did it have experiments that I can use as demonstrations prior to my student's own labs, but it also provides significant background and understanding into all the important chemistry concepts. Loads of black and white illustrations, and just a good book overall. I noticed the first review on the back of the book was by the author of our current chemistry textbook, Timberlake...thought that was funny though not necessarily a selling point originally for me.

I didn't get the title "The Joy of Chemistry" until they mentioned the other two famous books with titles beginning with "The Joy of ...." Cute trick. Won't be selling this book off any time in the near future, as I am just now finishing reading it the first time and now I am going back with a 'fine-tooth' comb over the entire book and take out what I can use for different chemistry labs and classrooms.

Karen sAdler
Science Education

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More fun than any chemist should have..., March 6, 2005

By 

mableroad (los angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things (Hardcover)

I picked up this book (though skeptical of the title)because my son is getting interested in chemistry. I found it to be very instructive and the demonstrations to be clear and fun too! I would recomend this book to anyone with a budding interest in chemistry - it is layed out very well and easy to follow - and most of all it doesn't read like a text book. My son and I had a good time going through it - though I think I had more to learn than he did. I enjoyed it so much that I picked up another of Cobb's books, Creations of Fire and found it equally compelling.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Chemistry Kit I Wished I Had, March 9, 2005

By 

Judith Dailey "[e-mail]" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things (Hardcover)

It's impossible in our fearful age to buy a good chemistry set-- until now. Who would have thought it would come as a book? Cobb's text is fun, easy to understand, and illustrates fundamental principles. Best of all, the experiments work! Highly recommended.