What Is Chemistry?

Most people remember chemistry from their schooldays as a subject that was largely incomprehensible. For many the topic was seen as being fact-rich but understanding-poor, smelly, and so far removed from the real world of events and pleasures that there seemed little point, except for the most introverted, in coming to terms with its grubby concepts, spells, recipes, and rules.

Peter Atkins wants to change all that. In What is Chemistry? he encourages us to look at chemistry anew, through a chemist's eyes, to understand its central concepts and to see how it contributes not only towards our material comfort, but also to human culture. He shows how chemistry provides the infrastructure of our world, through the chemical industry, the fuels of heating, power generation, and transport, as well as the fabrics of our clothing and furnishings.

By considering the remarkable achievements that chemistry has made, and examining its place between both physics and biology, Atkins presents a fascinating, clear, and rigorous exploration of the world of chemistry -- its structure, core concepts, and contributions.


Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 11/01/2013
ISBN: 9780199683987
Pages: 122
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 7.80h x 5.00w x 0.80d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2013
Library Journal 11/15/2013 pg. 108
Choice 05/01/2014