The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things

This book challenges the perception of chemistry as too difficult to bother with and too clinical to be any fun. 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 bang-a colorful bottle rocket assembled from common objects you find in the garage-and then present the principles of chemistry using household chemicals and friendly, nontechnical 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 emphasize 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're willing to get down and dirty-our sense of enjoyment too.

Author: Cathy Cobb, Monty Fetterolf
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 01/26/2010
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 8.88h x 6.04w x 0.84d
ISBN13: 9781591027713
ISBN10: 1591027713
BISAC Categories:
- Science | Chemistry | General
- Science | Experiments & Projects
- Science | Study & Teaching

About the Author
Cathy Cobb (Aiken, SC) is the author of Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth (with Monty L. Fetterolf and Jack G. Goldsmith); Magick, Mayhem, and Mavericks: The Spirited History of Physical Chemistry; and Creations of Fire: Chemistry's Lively History from Alchemy to the Atomic Age (with H. Goldwhite). 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 the coauthor with Cathy Cobb and Jack G. Goldsmith of Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth. He is a professor of chemistry at the University of South Carolina at Aiken.