Chemistry: A Very Short Introduction

Author(s): Peter Atkins

Cultural Studies

Most people remember chemistry from their schooldays as largely incomprehensible, a subject that was 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 this Very Short Introduction to Chemistry, he encourages us to look at chemistry anew, through a chemist's eyes, in order to understand its central concepts and to see how it contributes not only towards our material comfort, but also to human culture. Atkins 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 exciting contributions to new cutting-edge technologies. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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...made me realise that science and poetic language can make for a perfect blend Most popular science books try to astound the reader with images of colourful reactions - Chemistry has nothing in that vein but instead surprises with vivid descriptions and creative analogies. Education in Chemistry I heartily recommend this book it is an enjoyable read both for chemists and non-chemists alike Chemistry World

Peter Atkins is Fellow of Lincoln College, University of Oxford. He is the author of almost 60 books, which include the world-renowned textbook Physical Chemistry (published in its ninth edition in November 2009). His other textbooks include Inorganic Chemistry: Chemical Principles and Molecular Quantum Mechanics. He has also written a number of books for a general readership, including Galileo's Finger: The Ten Great Ideas of Science, The Periodic Kingdom, Molecules , and The Laws of Thermodynamics: A Very Short Introduction. He has been a visiting professor in France, Israel, New Zealand, and China, and continues to lecture widely throughout the world.

Preface ; 1. Its origins, scope, and organization ; 2. Its principles: atoms and molecules ; 3. Its principles: energy and entropy ; 4. Its reactions ; 5. Its techniques ; 6. Its achievements ; 7. Its future ; Further reading ; Glossary ; Index

General Fields

  • : 9780199683970
  • : Oxford University Press
  • : Oxford University Press
  • : 0.106
  • : January 2015
  • : 174mm X 114mm X 7mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Peter Atkins
  • : Paperback
  • : English
  • : 540
  • : 128