Two Book Versions -- The Differences
Two book versions of the ChemReview lessons are available. Which version is appropriate for your course?
· For students who intend to take college General Chemistry or AP chemistry, the book volumes of Calculations In Chemistry.are recommened. These books include all of the first 38 modules posted on the ChemReview website.
Calculations In Chemistry covers most of the math-oriented topics in both a first-year honors/college preparatory high school course plus topics first-year college General Chemistry for science majors and AP Chemistry.
Selected lessons in those books will be appropriate in courses that are prior to General or AP Chemistry. Then, when during General or AP Chemistry, these lessons will provide a review of past topics plus coverage of many additional math-oriented topics in the full two semester General Chemistry or AP sequence.
· For students who are not sure that they will take physical-science-major General Chemistry, or for students who intend to take chemistry for health-science majors, the less expensive Introduction to Chemistry Calculations is recommended. This printed version of selected ChemReview lessons includes the math-oriented topics most often included in Preparatory and GOB/Health courses in a single volume.
Introduction to Chemistry Calculations omits topics that are generally taught only in General Chemistry for physical-science majors, such as rate-law kinetics, Q calculations, weak bases and buffers, KMT calculations and Nernst-equation electrochemistry. However, Introduction emphasizes exponential notation and metric prefixes, unit use and unit cancellation, algebra, and structured problem solving. The math of base 10 logarithms is taught with pH, and the math of natural logs is taught with half-life calculations in nuclear chemistry. These topics are included to prepare students for the math encountered in General and AP Chemistry.
The math of calculations is a frequent stumbling block for students in first-year courses. The lessons in Introductions are selected to provide a solid preparation for calculations in General Chemistry and Health-Science courses. The math review in Calculations in Chemistry is designed to prepare students for both General Chemistry and subsequent physical science and/or engineering courses .
To summarize:
· For students enrolled in or planning to enroll in General or AP Chemistry, the complete topic list of Calculations in Chemistry is recommended.