Contemporary Chemical Analysis (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kenneth A. Rubinson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book provides a readable yet rigorous introduction to analytical methods with a focus on problem-solving skills. It stresses the fundamental concepts of chemical analysis and, through examples from current journals and other science media, shows how the principles and practice of analytical chemistry are used to produce answers to questions in all areas of scientific study and practice. Features a balance of topics that is closer to contemporary analytical practice than those covered by other books. Introduces the tools that are ubiquitous in analytical chemistry e.g., statistics, sampling and sample preparation. Discusses methods depending on chemical kinetics which are so widely used in medicine and biology. Features a number of problems that call for the use of a speadsheet to generate data, which is then plotted to show trends. Includes answers for all numerical problems in an appendix.

From the Back Cover

This book provides a readable yet rigorous introduction to analytical methods with a focus on problem-solving skills. It stresses the fundamental concepts of chemical analysis and, through examples from current journals and other science media, shows how the principles and practice of analytical chemistry are used to produce answers to questions in all areas of scientific study and practice. Features a balance of topics that is closer to contemporary analytical practice than those covered by other books. Introduces the tools that are ubiquitous in analytical chemistry e.g., statistics, sampling and sample preparation. Discusses methods depending on chemical kinetics which are so widely used in medicine and biology. Features a number of problems that call for the use of a speadsheet to generate data, which is then plotted to show trends. Includes answers for all numerical problems in an appendix.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 613 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (March 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0135193311
• ISBN-13: 978-0135193310
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,407,490 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good combined course, August 27, 2008

By	AC (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

I'm a professor teaching instrumental for the first time. I used Skoog's book as an undergrad, and again now to teach from - it was a last-minute decision and I now regret it. I think that this book by Rubinson would've been a much better choice. The emphasis on "analytical chemistry and problem solving, including instruments" fits the class I'm trying to teach MUCH better than Skoog's exhaustive explanation of instruments. Skoog really relies on a student's experience in quant to give the context (how to plan an analysis, how to test and validate the method, etc.) - many of my students are international grad students entering the program who are very weak in analytical, so they just don't have that experience...

I've used my desk copy of Rubinson's book extensively as I plan lectures, and I'll change textbooks for the class next fall when I teach it again. I don't know whether there are any plans for a second edition - it would be much appreciated, although the first edition is an excellent start.

3.0 out of 5 stars good, could have been better, April 29, 1999

By A Customer

the problem of errors in the books answer keys did detract from its value. in addition the graphical scheme of the book could have been more appealing. though it's an aesthetic complaint, the blues and greys got to be a bit difficult after long reading.

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent introduction, but unforgivable errors., February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This book provides a well written introduction to the priciples of classical analytical chemistry, and more contemporary instrumental methods. Although the book is only in its first printed edition, the amount of mistakes made in example problems and throughout the end of chapter problems make the book very difficult to work with. In my quantitative analysis class last semester my classmates, my professor, and I sent a list of at least ten errors to the authors. This does not come close to accounting for all of the errors we found, and we did not even cover the instrumental section. The book has potential but it must be for the second edition at least.