As an educator for more than two decades, it has been my experience that the average student tends to find chemistry a difficult, abstract subject. Chemistry Explained has been written in response to this negative view.
The book seeks to introduce the student to the fundamental ideas of chemistry in a way that is inquiry based and easy to understand. A number of features have been included to assist with topics that students find particularly troublesome like writing formulae, writing balanced chemical equations, mole calculations, oxidation/reduction and electrochemistry. 'Step-by-step' methods have been given for these topics. In addition, cartoons and pneumonic devices have been included to help the student understand and remember difficult concepts and rules. Important points and words have been bold typed for emphasis.
Comparisons and lists been summarised in tables to make revision easier. In this edition a new feature called Use the Internet has been included to encourage students to supplement their learning with new digital technologies that are so pervasive in the world today. Use the Internet exercises are found throughout the book in blue boxes. When doing these exercises students are gently reminded to be careful. They should verify information from multiple websites and with their teachers.
Chemistry Explained has primarily been designed for the student preparing for the C.X.C. CSEC exam. As such, it closely follows the learning objectives of the current C.X.C CSEC Chemistry syllabus. A checklist of points that should have mastered is given at the end of each chapter in sections titled Key Terms and Ideas. Review questions have been included at the end of each chapter. Additional practice is provided in the form of CXC Type Questions at strategic points in the book. In this edition, a new chapter (Chapter 1) has been added at the very beginning of the book to reflect changes in the latest version of the syllabus which emphasises the connections between chemistry and everyday life. This chapter also introduces the student to the notion of green chemistry. In other chapters of the book, sections titled Chemistry, Society and Environment have been added to explore these topics and make the subject matter more relevant for students.