Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 2
Icons Used in This Book 2
Beyond the Book 3
Where to Go from Here 3
Part 1: Getting Cozy With Numbers, Atoms, and Elements 5
Chapter 1: Noting Numbers Scientifically 7
Using Exponential and Scientific Notation to Report Measurements 7
Multiplying and Dividing in Scientific Notation 9
Using Exponential Notation to Add and Subtract 10
Distinguishing between Accuracy and Precision 12
Expressing Precision with Significant Figures 13
Doing Arithmetic with Significant Figures 15
Answers to Questions on Noting Numbers Scientifically 17
Chapter 2: Using and Converting Units 21
Familiarizing Yourself with Base Units and Metric System Prefixes 22
Building Derived Units from Base Units 23
Converting between Units: The Conversion Factor 25
Letting the Units Guide You 28
Answers to Questions on Using and Converting Units 31
Chapter 3: Breaking Down Atoms 33
The Atom: Protons, Electrons, and Neutrons 33
Deciphering Chemical Symbols: Atomic and Mass Numbers 35
Accounting for Isotopes Using Atomic Masses 38
Answers to Questions on Atoms 40
Chapter 4: Surveying the Periodic Table of the Elements 43
Organizing the Periodic Table into Periods and Groups 43
Predicting Properties from Periodic and Group Trends 46
Seeking Stability with Valence Electrons by Forming Ions 48
Putting Electrons in Their Places: Electron Configurations 50
Measuring the Amount of Energy (or Light) an Excited Electron Emits 53
Answers to Questions on the Periodic Table 55
Part 2: Making and Remaking Compounds 57
Chapter 5: Building Bonds 59
Pairing Charges with Ionic Bonds 60
Sharing Electrons with Covalent Bonds 63
Occupying and Overlapping Molecular Orbitals 67
Polarity: Sharing Electrons Unevenly 70
Shaping Molecules: VSEPR Theory and Hybridization 73
Answers to Questions on Bonds 78
Chapter 6: Naming Compounds and Writing Formulas 81
Labeling Ionic Compounds and Writing Their Formulas 81
Getting a Grip on Ionic Compounds with Polyatomic Ions 85
Naming Molecular (Covalent) Compounds and Writing Their Formulas 87
Addressing Acids 89
Mixing the Rules for Naming and Formula Writing 91
Beyond the Basics: Naming Organic Carbon Chains 93
Answers to Questions on Naming Compounds and Writing Formulas 96
Chapter 7: Understanding the Many Uses of the Mole 101
The Mole Conversion Factor: Avogadroâs Number 102
Doing Mass and Volume Mole Conversions 103
Determining Percent Composition 106
Calculating Empirical Formulas 107
Using Empirical Formulas to Find Molecular Formulas 109
Answers to Questions on Moles 111
Chapter 8: Getting a Grip on Chemical Equations 115
Translating Chemistry into Equations and Symbols 116
Balancing Chemical Equations 118
Recognizing Reactions and Predicting Products 120
Combination (synthesis) 120
Decomposition 120
Single replacement (single displacement) 121
Double replacement (double displacement) 121
Combustion 123
Canceling Spectator Ions: Net Ionic Equations 125
Answers to Questions on Chemical Equations 127
Chapter 9: Putting Stoichiometry to Work 129
Using Mole-Mole Conversions from Balanced Equations 130
Putting Moles at the Center: Conversions Involving Particles,
Volumes, and Masses 132
Limiting Your Reagents 135
Counting Your Chickens after Theyâve Hatched: Percent Yield Calculations 138
Answers to Questions on Stoichiometry 140
Part 3: Examining Changes In Terms of Energy 147
Chapter 10: Understanding States in Terms of Energy 149
Describing States of Matter with the Kinetic Molecular Theory 149
Make a Move: Figuring Out Phase Transitions and Diagrams 151
Answers to Questions on Changes of State 154
Chapter 11: Obeying Gas Laws 155
Boyleâs Law: Playing with Pressure and Volume 156
Charlesâs Law and Absolute Zero: Looking at Volume and Temperature 157
The Combined and Ideal Gas Laws: Working with Pressure, Volume, and
Temperature 159
Mixing It Up with Daltonâs Law of Partial Pressures 162
Diffusing and Effusing with Grahamâs Law 163
Answers to Questions on Gas Laws 165
Chapter 12: Dissolving into Solutions 169
Seeing Different Forces at Work in Solubility 169
Concentrating on Molarity and Percent Solutions 172
Changing Concentrations by Making Dilutions 174
Altering Solubility with Temperature 175
Answers to Questions on Solutions 178
Chapter 13: Playing Hot and Cold: Colligative Properties 183
Portioning Particles: Molality and Mole Fractions 183
Too Hot to Handle: Elevating and Calculating Boiling Points 186
How Low Can You Go? Depressing and Calculating Freezing Points 188
Determining Molecular Masses with Boiling and Freezing Points 189
Answers to Questions on Colligative Properties 191
Chapter 14: Exploring Rates and Equilibrium 195
Measuring Rates 195
Focusing on Factors That Affect Rates 199
Measuring Equilibrium 201
The equilibrium constant 202
Free energy 203
Answers to Questions on Rates and Equilibrium 206
Chapter 15: Warming Up to Thermochemistry 209
Understanding the Basics of Thermodynamics 209
Working with Specific Heat Capacity and Calorimetry 212
Absorbing and Releasing Heat: Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions 214
Summing Heats with Hessâs Law 216
Answers to Questions on Thermochemistry 218
Part 4: Swapping Charges 221
Chapter 16: Working with Acids and Bases 223
Surveying Three Complementary Methods for Defining Acids and Bases 224
Method 1: Arrhenius sticks to the basics 224
Method 2: Br¸nsted-Lowry tackles bases without a hydroxide ion 225
Method 3: Lewis relies on electron pairs 226
Measuring Acidity and Basicity: pH, pOH, and KW 228
Ka and Kb: Finding Strength through Dissociation 230
Answers to Questions on Acids and Bases 233
Chapter 17: Achieving Neutrality with Titrations and Buffers 237
Concentrating on Titration to Figure Out Molarity 238
Maintaining Your pH with Buffers 241
Measuring Salt Solubility with Ksp 244
Answers to Questions on Titrations and Buffers 245
Chapter 18: Accounting for Electrons in Redox 247
Oxidation Numbers: Keeping Tabs on Electrons 247
Balancing Redox Reactions under Acidic Conditions 250
Balancing Redox Reactions under Basic Conditions 252
Answers to Questions on Electrons in Redox 255
Chapter 19: Galvanizing Yourself to Do Electrochemistry 259
Identifying Anodes and Cathodes 259
Calculating Electromotive Force and Standard Reduction Potentials 263
Coupling Current to Chemistry: Electrolytic Cells 266
Answers to Questions on Electrochemistry 269
Chapter 20: Doing Chemistry with Atomic Nuclei 273
Decaying Nuclei in Different Ways 273
Alpha decay 274
Beta decay 274
Gamma decay 275
Measuring Rates of Decay: Half-Lives 276
Making and Breaking Nuclei: Fusion and Fission 277
Answers to Questions on Nuclear Chemistry 279
Part 5: The Part of Tens 281
Chapter 21: Ten Chemistry Formulas to Tattoo on Your Brain 283
Chapter 22: Ten Annoying Exceptions to Chemistry Rules 289
Index 295
