Any Good Chemistry Books?

[The Felonius Pope]

I am currently working towards my A.A. degree. This July I will be starting a chemistry class, but to be honest I don't know all that much about chemistry. Are there any good books, preferably short ones, on the subject?

 

[Duvelthehobbit666]

What part of chemistry do you need to know? There are a lot of good books, but without knowing what you need to know, I can't really help you.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

What part of chemistry do you need to know? There are a lot of good books, but without knowing what you need to know, I can't really help you.

I've always had difficulty understanding nuclear chemistry. I took a chemistry class two years ago, but the teacher didn't even touch on the subject.

 

[Dean]

What part of chemistry do you need to know? There are a lot of good books, but without knowing what you need to know, I can't really help you.

I've always had difficulty understanding nuclear chemistry. I took a chemistry class two years ago, but the teacher didn't even touch on the subject.

It may be a little heavy-going for a beginner, but if you feel up to it, read -- and wholly digest -- Loveland, Morrissey, and Seaborg's "Modern Nuclear Chemistry", see this Amazon page. It's pharaonically detailed, eloquently written, scientifically rigorous, and fascinating. I've read it , among other works in this field , at least twice over. Admittedly, it is rather expensive, from the Amazon page, but I'm sure it's available somewhere for less. Get your local book store or some such to order it in, and ask them how much it costs, if you feel up to reading it. It has excellent practical references, thorough analysis of the basics (and in considerable detail) of physical chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and radiochemistry, as well as historical references, and the theoretical and practical aspects of these ideas on the whole. . .

BTW: This page is usually a good one to look at for science books on particular topics. One of Amazon's more neat tricks. There are specific sectors, with sub-sectors, listing all of the books in a particular section, i.e. in this case:

• Books > Science & Math(s) > Chemistry > Nuclear Chemistry

And you can navigate those subdivisions as you will.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

Thanks for the info, Dean.

 

[Duvelthehobbit666]

Sadly, I don't have any suggestions. Nuclear chemistry isn't something which is really known to me. As far as I can tell, Dean showed you the best books out there. Good luck with your chemistry class.

 

[Laurens]

Not a book, but this site was useful to me for gaining the basics of chemistry on my course.

Also Khan Academy.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

Not a book, but this site was useful to me for gaining the basics of chemistry on my course.

Also Khan Academy.

Thanks Laurens. If only I were a better student... *lets out exasperated sigh*

 

[Dragan Glas]

Greetings,

I am currently working towards my A.A. degree. This July I will be starting a chemistry class, but to be honest I don't know all that much about chemistry. Are there any good books, preferably short ones, on the subject?

Why Chemical Reactions Happen is highly recommended for under-graduates who are going to study chemistry, whether as part of a degree or a speciality.

Although it's pricey, you may find it cheap online - or in your local library.

Nature's Building Blocks is a fascinating book on the elements and is chock-full of tidbits of information - like, why is octopus blood blue?

Kindest regards,

James

 

[The Felonius Pope]

I'm a little low on funds at the moment, but I ordered Nature's Building Blocks. Thanks for the recommendation Dragan Glas.

 

[Dragan Glas]

Greetings,

I'm a little low on funds at the moment, but I ordered Nature's Building Blocks. Thanks for the recommendation Dragan Glas.

You're welcome!

If your library doesn't have the other book, talk to your lecturer about it - the college may have a copy or the lecturer might check it out and get one for the college. Someone I know did the latter (the lecturer was extremely impressed with the book) and got to be the first - and only student - to use it throughout his course; the other students ended up having to buy theirs!

Kindest regards,

James

 

[he_who_is_nobody]

Not a book, but this is an awesome YouTube channel about chemistry.

 

[Laurens]

Not a book, but this is an awesome YouTube channel about chemistry.

Seconded