Publisher's Synopsis
Since the first edition of this text was published, the emphasis in teaching the first year course in chemistry for science undergraduates has shifted from a predominantly "principles" approach to one that places more emphasis on descriptive chemistry - chemical reactions and properties. This transformation blends well with the basic philosophy brought to this book from the very beginning, that chemistry is fundamentally an experimental science, and that observed facts must form the foundation for theory and explanations. This revision incorporates more of the flavor of descriptive chemistry while continuing to maintain a solid treatment of chemical principles. At the same time, the text retains the character of the previous edition, which has a relaxed, nonthreatening writing style, pedagogical aids designed to assist students in acquiring problem-solving skills, and many examples that illustrate how chemistry relates to the world in which we live.;The previous edition of this book was published in 1984.
