Chemistry

Rating:
Summary: Buy something else in the range.
Review: I found this book to be a bit too complicated for self- study (like most of us in America have to do incase we get an awful teacher). It has many complex concepts, but many concepts have been explained in a concise yet confusing manner (like molecular orbitals). At other instances, the book wanders too much into other areas, and hence fails to convey the essence of the topic. I had to bear with this book for too long. It is sufficiently advanced, for college level, but the concepts need to be more effectively explained. The book gives a bunch of examples, but most of the times, the problems at the back of the book cannot be understood by the examples themselves. (particularly when it comes to acid-base equillibria). The books tries to prove a theorem, or a derivation of a formula, mathematically, and the problems test your understanding, which often become difficult, since the book is not too clear on explaining concpets, just listing them out. If only the zumdahls had removed the thousands of pictures, and put in more words. Depends on the teacher, you know. If you have an excellent teacher, this book may not be so daunting. But if you have a rotten teacher, as I did, beware! Chemistry is a vital subject!

Rating:
Summary: Great introductory Chemistry text.
Review: I took an AP Chemistry class online, which meant a lot of self-studying. This was the second textbook I purchased for the class, after being unsatisfied by my first textbook. I did not have to buy another book after this one! The writing and explainations in the book are very clear, and I can think of very little that was left desired.

It is true that a few things could have been explained more thoroughly, but as an introductory text it is understandable that some topics were just lightly covered.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I used the first edition in 1989 as a general chemistry student. The book was easy to follow and well written. Later as a school teacher, I used the book teaching my ap students. The problems are challenging, incorporating many techniques and problem solving skills. Now, as a chemical engineer, I still use it as a reference guide.

Rating:
Summary: Great for AP Chem
Review: I used this book in my high school, junior year AP Chemistry class and I felt I learned a ton. I think it was extremely easy to read, yet time consuming. It will require a lot of effort, but I think the end results are worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Great for AP Chem
Review: In college, professors expect students to learn on their own, so the students basically rely on their books. At Penn State, there is a 60% failure rate for people who take an introductory Organic Chemistry class. I wonder why?? Because they use this book!! I flunked Chemistry, no thanks to this book!! They should make better ones.

Rating:
Summary: Zumdahl knows Chemistry
Review: In my humble opinion, I think Zumdahl is one of the best textbooks for AP Chemistry. It is not difficult to understand and the writers are very straightforward. The problems are challenging but they aren't impossible and the examples are great. I couldn't give it more praise. The Princeton Review book is a great supplement/ study guide, as well as the Zumdahl study guide.

Rating:
Summary: This is a Chemistry Book.
Review: Now, this is what I call a chemistry book. If you are required to buy it, then you will find out. But if you are wanting to buy a Chemistry book, just to know about Chemistry, then this is an awesome book.

You have to have some basic knowledge of Chemistry for this book to be useful, and if you have a teacher who is a good one, then you are going down the right track.

What is really great about this book, is the end of each chapter. It provides you with a clear and accurate summary, and then there are many questions that cover everything you have learned thus far. What is also good, is that main points and themes are highlighted, so that one may know what are key and relevent points.

I would recommend this book or one like it, even if you are just refreshing. A textbook is a million times better than the "series books", like "For Dummies" or "Made Simple" and so on and so forth. If you think they are to expensive, I am sure you can buy these books from the amazon marketplace sellers for less.

All in all, this is a great buy.

Rating:
Summary: Love this book
Review: This is probably the best chemistry book out there. If this book is taught by a good teacher, it can't be beat. If you have the sort of instructer that assigns a reading followed by 50 problems, you probably won't like this book, but if you have a teacher who actually TEACHES the material, this is the best book out there. This book covers a wide range of topics, and teaches them for different levels. NOT ALL OF THIS BOOK IS FOR BEGINNERS. This is why I have seen this book not only in high school, but in college as well. It may seem hard to understand at times, but it is just because you are reading the more advanced material, MENT FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS. All in all, this is the best book out there.

Rating:
Summary: A Thorough Yet Approachable Introduction to Chemistry
Review: This text distinguishes itself from similar books through its clear prose, many examples, wonderful graphics, and plentiful problems, which span the range of skill from simple to challenging.

Contrary to some previous reviewers, I am not interested in the type of suits the author wears, and I have found the examples and problems to reinforce the text and help form a clear and concise presentation. Knowing that some students will not have access to the even-numbered solutions, the author has structured the problems so that the odd-numbered problems thoroughly cover the material. Moreover, the Complete Solutions Manual is available through several online textbook retailers.

I highly recommend this text for anyone looking for a strong presentation of chemistry fundamentals.

Rating:
Summary: Serious General Chemistry for Serious Students
Review: This text stands far apart from other general chemistry texts, in that it covers every aspect of the fundamental concepts needed to move onto upper division chemistry courses. I used this text in my junior year of high school, and I'm currently following in my senior year of high school with Alberty and Silbey's "Physical Chemistry," which is the popular (but difficult) p-chem text. Zumdahl's text is great for chemistry majors or students who wish to have a strong general chemistry background. The text offers easy, moderate, and challenging problems so that students can learn effectively and efficiently. The student solutions manual only contains the odd problems, which is good because it forces students to work the even problems without having the answers to peek at. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, gases, and electrochemistry.

Students who have negative biases about chemistry usually don't like this book. AP students who are serious about chemistry will enjoy this text for it contains everything you need to know for the AP exam.

Students who plan on taking chemistry at college will find that this text will allow the transition into advanced inorganic and physical chemistry to be smooth, yet challenging.