Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This text has been specifically designed to prepare people with previously limited chemical knowledge for entrance into science related courses (such as Foundation and Access courses) which involve chemistry, in higher education. Until now there have been no texts available for use on these courses and this book fills that gap. Access to Chemistry effectively forms a self-study course, which is split into separate modules and units covering the full spread of concepts required for those needing a basic knowledge of chemistry. The material is presented in a friendly and easy-to-use manner which allows the student to pace their acquisition of knowledge and gain increasing confidence in order to succeed in understanding essential relevant concepts. Other useful features of this book include starter diagnostic tests, worked examples and self study tests (with answers) at the end of each unit. In addition to Access or Foundation course students and their tutors, to whom this book will prove essential, it will have an appeal also as a revision text for those needing a 'refresher' after a break in the subject. In addition, it will be of interest to members of the general public who wish to better educate themselves on chemical matters, as it provides a clear and useful insight into areas such as health, home chemicals, business market trends and gardening.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Aims (p. xvii)
• Format of Materials (p. xviii)
• Study Guide (p. xix)
• Module 1 Building Blocks of Matter
• Unit 1.1 Particles and Properties (p. 3)
• 1.1.1 Properties (p. 5)
• 1.1.2 Change of State (p. 5)
• 1.1.3 Particles (p. 7)
• State and change of state (p. 7)
• 1.1.4 Evaporation (p. 9)
• 1.1.5 Diffusion (p. 10)
• 1.1.6 Dissolving (p. 11)
• 1.1.7 Pressure (p. 11)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 14)
• Further questions (p. 15)
• Unit 1.2 Inside the Atom (p. 17)
• 1.2.1 Elements (p. 18)
• 1.2.2 Compounds (p. 19)
• 1.2.3 Atoms (p. 20)
• 1.2.4 Smaller Particles (p. 20)
• 1.2.5 Electronic Configuration (p. 21)
• 1.2.6 Further Reading (p. 22)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 23)
• Further questions (p. 23)
• Unit 1.3 Atoms, Elements and Order (p. 25)
• 1.3.1 Three Elementary Particles (p. 26)
• 1.3.2 Symbols (p. 26)
• 1.3.3 Atomic and Mass Numbers (p. 27)
• 1.3.4 Isotopes and Relative Atomic Mass (p. 27)
• 1.3.5 Periodicity (p. 28)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 31)
• Further questions (p. 31)
• Unit 1.4 The Nucleus of the Atom (p. 33)
• 1.4.1 The Discovery of Radioactivity (p. 34)
• 1.4.2 Types of Radiation (p. 34)
• 1.4.3 Transmutation of Elements (p. 35)
• 1.4.4 Half-life (p. 36)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 39)
• Further questions (p. 39)
• Unit 1.5 Electrons (p. 41)
• 1.5.1 Electrons in Atoms (p. 42)
• 1.5.2 Absorption Spectra (p. 42)
• 1.5.3 Why Do Elements Only Absorb Certain Wavelengths? (p. 43)
• 1.5.4 More Accurate Spectroscopes, and Quantum Numbers (p. 44)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 47)
• Further questions (p. 47)
• Module 2 Chemical Bonding in Materials
• Unit 2.1 Atoms and lons (p. 51)
• 2.1.1 Why Atoms Combine (p. 52)
• 2.1.2 How Atoms Combine (p. 52)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 56)
• Further questions (p. 58)
• Unit 2.2 Molecules and Sharing Electrons (p. 59)
• 2.2.1 Sharing Electrons (p. 60)
• 2.2.2 Bonds (p. 60)
• 2.2.3 Equal and Unequal Shares (p. 61)
• 2.2.4 Shapes of Orbitals and Bonds (p. 62)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 64)
• Further questions (p. 65)
• Unit 2.3 Bonding and Properties (p. 67)
• 2.3.1 Lattices (p. 68)
• 2.3.2 Giant Covalent Structures (p. 68)
• Summary (p. 69)
• 2.3.3 Giant Metallic Structures (p. 69)
• 2.3.4 Different Bonding, Different Properties (p. 70)
• Melting and boiling points (p. 70)
• Electrical conductivity (p. 71)
• Solubility in water (p. 71)
• 2.3.5 Hydrogen bonding (p. 72)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 73)
• Further questions (p. 73)
• Unit 2.4 Electronic Configuration and Reactivity (p. 75)
• 2.4.1 Loss of Electrons (p. 76)
• 2.4.2 Gain of Electrons (p. 77)
• 2.4.3 Trends in the Periodic Table (p. 78)
• 2.4.4 Reactivity Series (p. 78)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 82)
• Further questions (p. 82)
• Unit 2.5 Oxidation Numbers (p. 83)
• 2.5.1 Oxidation Numbers and Group (p. 84)
• 2.5.2 Oxidation Numbers and Formulae (p. 85)
• 2.5.3 The Transition Metals (p. 85)
• 2.5.4 Multi-atom lons (p. 88)
• 2.5.5 Summary of Oxidation and Oxidation Numbers (p. 89)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 90)
• Further questions (p. 90)
• Module 3 Different Types of Chemical Reaction
• Unit 3.1 Synthesis and Combining (p. 93)
• 3.1.1 Binary Compounds by Joining Elements Together (p. 94)
• 3.1.2 Fuels Combining with Oxygen (p. 95)
• 3.1.3 Organic Synthesis (p. 95)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 96)
• Further questions (p. 96)
• Unit 3.2 Decomposition - The Breaking Up of Compounds (p. 97)
• 3.2.1 Thermal Decomposition (p. 99)
• 3.2.2 Electrolysis of Molten Compounds (p. 101)
• 3.2.3 Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions (p. 102)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 104)
• Further questions (p. 104)
• Unit 3.3 Exchange Chemical Reactions (p. 105)
• 3.3.1 Displacement (p. 106)
• 3.3.2 Acids and Metals (p. 107)
• 3.3.3 Ion Exchange Reactions (p. 108)
• 3.3.4 Neutralisation of Acids (p. 109)
• 3.3.5 Summary of Chemical Reactions of Acids and Alkalis (p. 110)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 111)
• Further questions (p. 111)
• Unit 3.4 Some Further General Characteristics of Chemical Reactions (p. 113)
• 3.4.1 Heat Energy (p. 114)
• 3.4.2 Electricity (p. 114)
• 3.4.3 Redox Reactions (p. 116)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 118)
• Further questions (p. 118)
• Module 4 Quantitative Aspects of Chemical Reactions
• Unit 4.1 Mathematical Concepts (p. 121)
• 4.1.1 Introduction (p. 122)
• General points (p. 122)
• 4.1.2 Standard Form (Exponential) Numbers and Powers of 10 (p. 122)
• Rules for working with exponential numbers or numbers in standard form (p. 123)
• 4.1.3 Calculations with Numbers in Standard Form (p. 124)
• Adding and subtracting (p. 124)
• Multiplication and division (p. 125)
• 4.1.4 Using a Calculator (p. 125)
• Work with numbers written in standard form (p. 125)
• Work with logarithms (p. 126)
• Significant figures, decimal places, and 'rounding up' (p. 127)
• 4.1.5 Rearranging Equations (p. 127)
• Treat both sides of the equation the same way (p. 128)
• Cancelling out (p. 129)
• 4.1.6 Graphs (p. 129)
• Plotting a graph (p. 129)
• Drawing the line - the best fit (p. 130)
• The gradient or slope (p. 130)
• Using the graph (p. 131)
• The exponential graph (p. 131)
• 4.1.7 Units (p. 132)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 134)
• Further questions (p. 134)
• 4.1.8 Extension - Theory of Logarithms (p. 135)
• Logarithms to base 10 (abbreviated to log[subscript 10] or, simply, log) (p. 135)
• Logarithms to the base e (natural logs, abbreviated to In[subscript e]) (p. 136)
• Unit 4.2 Chemical Laws - The Law of Constant Composition and the Law of Conservation of Mass (p. 137)
• 4.2.1 The Law of Constant Composition (p. 139)
• 4.2.2 The Law of Conservation of Mass (p. 139)
• 4.2.3 Balancing Equations (p. 141)
• 4.2.4 Rules for Balancing Equations (p. 142)
• Further hints to help you (p. 143)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 147)
• Further questions (p. 147)
• Unit 4.3 Reacting Quantities and the Mole (p. 149)
• 4.3.1 Introduction to the Mole (p. 151)
• For molecules and ionic compounds (p. 152)
• 4.3.2 Using Moles (p. 153)
• Writing a chemical recipe (p. 153)
• Working out a product yield (p. 154)
• 4.3.3 Percentage Yields (p. 155)
• 4.3.4 Molar Excess and Limiting Quantities (p. 156)
• Questions (p. 157)
• Answers (p. 157)
• 4.3.5 Percentage Composition, and using the Law of Constant Composition to find the Empirical and Chemical Formula of a Compound (p. 158)
• Difference between the chemical formula and the empirical formula (p. 159)
• Reverse calculations; percentage composition from formula (p. 160)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 161)
• Further questions (p. 161)
• Unit 4.4 Strengths of Solutions (p. 163)
• 4.4.1 Units of Volume and Concentration (p. 164)
• Units of volume (p. 164)
• Concentration (p. 164)
• 4.4.2 Diluting Solutions (p. 167)
• 4.4.3 Saturated Solutions (p. 168)
• Concentrated acids (p. 169)
• Diluting concentrated acids (p. 169)
• 4.4.4 Other Units for Concentration (p. 169)
• Parts per million (ppm) (p. 170)
• Parts per billion (ppb) (p. 170)
• Percent by mass (p. 170)
• Percent by volume (p. 171)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 172)
• Further questions (p. 172)
• Unit 4.5 Gases (p. 173)
• 4.5.1 Introduction (p. 175)
• 4.5.2 Units (p. 176)
• Pressure (p. 176)
• Volume (p. 177)
• Temperature (p. 177)
• Standard temperature and pressure (STP) (p. 177)
• Molar volume (p. 177)
• 4.5.3 Kinetic Theory (p. 178)
• 4.5.4 Ideal Gases and the Gas Laws (p. 178)
• Boyle's Law: the effect of pressure on the volume of a gas at constant temperature (p. 179)
• Charles's Law: the effect of temperature on the volume of a gas at constant pressure (p. 179)
• The effect of temperature on the pressure of a gas at constant volume (p. 180)
• The Combined Gas Law (p. 180)
• 4.5.5 The Ideal Gas Equation - Calculating the Mass and Relative Molecular Mass of a Gas (p. 182)
• 4.5.6 Changing the Density of a Gas (p. 184)
• 4.5.7 Partial Pressures (p. 184)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 185)
• Unit 4.6 General Properties of Solutions (p. 187)
• 4.6.1 Introduction (p. 188)
• 4.6.2 Types of Solution (p. 190)
• 4.6.3 Factors Affecting Solubility (p. 190)
• Properties of the solute and solvent (p. 190)
• Temperature (p. 190)
• Pressure (p. 191)
• 4.6.4 Factors Affecting Rate of Solution (p. 191)
• Temperature (p. 191)
• Rate of stirring (p. 191)
• Particle size (p. 191)
• 4.6.5 Ionic Salts - Solubility Rules (p. 192)
• 4.6.6 Recrystallisation (p. 192)
• 4.6.7 Colligative Properties (p. 193)
• Vapour pressure (p. 193)
• Raising the boiling point (p. 194)
• Lowering the freezing point (p. 194)
• Osmotic pressure (p. 194)
• 4.6.8 Colloidal Dispersions (p. 196)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 198)
• Module 5 Chemical Reactions, Equilibrium and Energy Changes
• Unit 5.1 Energy Changes (p. 201)
• 5.1.1 Introduction to Energy Changes (p. 203)
• 5.1.2 Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions (p. 203)
• 5.1.3 Collision Theory (p. 204)
• Summary (p. 205)
• 5.1.4 Making and Breaking Bonds (p. 205)
• 5.1.5 Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions (p. 207)
• Exothermic reactions (p. 207)
• Endothermic reactions (p. 208)
• 5.1.6 The Heat of Reaction (p. 210)
• 5.1.7 Activation Energy (p. 211)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 213)
• Further questions (p. 214)
• Unit 5.2 Measuring Rates of Reactions (p. 215)
• 5.2.1 Introduction (p. 217)
• Reactions happen at different rates (p. 217)
• The units used in the measurement of reaction rates (p. 217)
• 5.2.2 Measuring the Rates of Chemical Reactions (p. 218)
• The reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid (p. 218)
• Measuring the rate of reaction (p. 219)
• Calculating average rates of reaction (p. 220)
• The reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid (p. 222)
• 5.2.3 Different Methods used to Monitor the Progress of Some Reactions (p. 223)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 224)
• Unit 5.3 Factors Affecting the Rate of Chemical Reactions (p. 227)
• 5.3.1 Introduction to the Effect of Temperature on Reactions (p. 229)
• The reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid (p. 229)
• The reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid (p. 229)
• 5.3.2 The Effect of Changing the Concentration of Reactants in Solution (p. 231)
• 5.3.3 The Effects of Pressure Change on the Rate of a Gaseous Reaction (p. 232)
• 5.3.4 The Effect on the Rate of Reaction of the Surface Area of Solid Reactants (p. 232)
• 5.3.5 The Effects of Catalysts on the Rate of Reaction (p. 234)
• What do we know about catalysts? (p. 234)
• The physical state of catalysts (p. 235)
• How do catalysts work? (p. 236)
• 'Negative' catalysts (p. 236)
• Enzymes as catalysts (p. 236)
• The kinetics of enzyme reactions (p. 238)
• Enzyme inhibitors (p. 239)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 240)
• Unit 5.4 Reversible Reactions and Chemical Equilibrium (p. 241)
• 5.4.1 Reversible and Non-reversible Reactions - Introduction (p. 243)
• 5.4.2 Systems at Equilibrium (p. 244)
• Physical equilibrium (p. 244)
• Chemical equilibrium (p. 244)
• 5.4.3 Factors Affecting Systems at Equilibrium (p. 245)
• Removal of chemicals can affect the reaction (p. 246)
• Effects of pressure changes on the equilibrium state in gaseous reactions (p. 246)
• The effect of temperature on the equilibrium state (p. 247)
• The effect of catalysts on the equilibrium state (p. 247)
• 5.4.4 Some Industrial Processes that involve Equilibrium (p. 247)
• The Haber Process (p. 248)
• The Contact Process (p. 248)
• The Ostwald Process (p. 250)
• 5.4.5 The Law of Mass Action (p. 250)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 253)
• Unit 5.5 Quantitative Aspects of Acid-Base Equilibria (p. 255)
• 5.5.1 Introduction (p. 257)
• 5.5.2 The Dissociation of Water (p. 257)
• 5.5.3 The Measurement of pH, and the pH Scale (p. 258)
• Calculating values of pH (p. 258)
• Calculating the pH of alkaline solutions (p. 259)
• 5.5.4 Detecting Acidity and Alkalinity (p. 260)
• The formation of hydrogen ions, and the acid dissociation constant (p. 260)
• Strong and weak acids (p. 261)
• The use of the pH scale (p. 262)
• 5.5.5 The Effect of Strong Acids and Alkalis on Living Organisms (p. 262)
• Buffer solutions (p. 263)
• How do buffer solutions work? (p. 264)
• 5.5.6 Calculating the pH of a Buffer Solution (p. 265)
• 5.5.7 The Effects of Buffers in the Body (p. 266)
• The hydrogencarbonate system (p. 266)
• The phosphate buffer system (p. 266)
• The amino acids as buffers (p. 267)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 269)
• 5.5.8 Extension -- What is the Connection between pH and pK[subscript a]? (p. 270)
• Module 6 Compounds of Carbon (1)
• Unit 6.1 What's So Special about Carbon Compounds? (p. 275)
• 6.1.1 Introduction -- Organic Compounds All Around Us (p. 276)
• 6.1.2 So the Chemistry of Carbon IS Worth Knowing! (p. 278)
• 6.1.3 Making Order of the Millions (p. 278)
• 6.1.4 Carbon in the Periodic Table? (p. 279)
• 6.1.5 Compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen -- The Hydrocarbons (p. 280)
• 6.1.6 Summary (p. 281)
• Aliphatic and aromatic (p. 281)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 283)
• Further questions (p. 283)
• Unit 6.2 Compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen -- Alkanes and Alkenes (p. 285)
• 6.2.1 Alkanes (p. 287)
• Naming system (p. 289)
• Properties (p. 291)
• 6.2.2 Alkenes (p. 291)
• 6.2.3 Comparison of Properties in the Alkane and Alkene Series (p. 293)
• Melting and boiling points (p. 293)
• What is meant by saturated and unsaturated carbon compounds? (p. 295)
• Hydrocarbons as fuels ... combustion (p. 295)
• Substitution and addition reactions with halogens (p. 296)
• Reaction with hydrogen gas (p. 298)
• Reactions with hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide gas (p. 298)
• The cracking of alkanes and the polymerisation of alkenes (p. 299)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 303)
• Further questions (p. 304)
• 6.2.4 Extension -- Some Explanations and Mechanisms (p. 306)
• The detailed mechanism for the reaction of chlorine with methane in bright sunlight (p. 306)
• Alkene + HBr mechanism (p. 306)
• Unit 6.3 Aromatic Organic Chemistry (p. 309)
• 6.3.1 Introduction (p. 310)
• 6.3.2 Methylbenzene (Toluene) (p. 311)
• 6.3.3 Other Compounds of Benzene (p. 312)
• 6.3.4 Substitution Reactions (p. 313)
• 6.3.5 Directing Group Preferences (p. 314)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 316)
• Further questions (p. 317)
• Unit 6.4 Isomerism (p. 319)
• 6.4.1 Isomerism (p. 321)
• 6.4.2 Set 1 -- Structural Isomerism (p. 321)
• Structural isomerism in hydrocarbons (p. 321)
• Functional group isomerism (a sub-group of structural isomerism) (p. 325)
• 6.4.3 Set 2 -- Stereo-isomerism (p. 327)
• Optical isomerism (p. 327)
• Stereo-isomerism in alkenes -- geometric or cis-trans isomerism (p. 329)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 331)
• Further questions (p. 333)
• Module 7 Compounds of Carbon (2) -- Organic Compounds containing Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen
• Unit 7.1 The Alcohols, C[subscript n]H[subscript 2n+1]OH (p. 337)
• 7.1.1 Introduction (p. 338)
• 7.1.2 Types of Alcohols (p. 339)
• Some ethers are isomeric with alcohols (p. 340)
• 7.1.3 Some Reactions of Alcohols (p. 341)
• Oxidation (p. 341)
• Dehydration (p. 342)
• Hydration (p. 343)
• Reduction of alcohols (p. 344)
• Ester formation (p. 344)
• Substitution of an OH group with Cl using PCl[subscript 5] or SOCl[subscript 2] (p. 345)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 347)
• Further questions (p. 348)
• Unit 7.2 Carbonyl Compounds and Carboxylic Acids (p. 349)
• 7.2.1 Carbonyl Compounds -- General Formula C[subscript n]H[subscript 2n]O (p. 350)
• 7.2.2 Some Properties of Aldehydes and Ketones (p. 350)
• 7.2.3 Some Preparations of Aldehydes and Ketones (p. 352)
• 7.2.4 Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds (p. 352)
• Addition reactions (p. 352)
• Reduction by addition of hydrogen (p. 355)
• Oxidation (p. 355)
• 7.2.5 Carboxylic Acids -- General Formula C[subscript n]H[subscript 2n+1]COOH (p. 358)
• General properties and acidity (p. 358)
• Carboxylic acids with metals (p. 358)
• Ester formation (p. 359)
• Other reactions (p. 359)
• 7.2.6 The Strength of a Carboxylic Acid (p. 359)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 361)
• Further questions (p. 362)
• More advanced questions (p. 362)
• 7.2.7 Extension -- Aldehydes and Ketones in Sugars (p. 363)
• Unit 7.3 Amines (p. 365)
• 7.3.1 The Amines (p. 366)
• Substitution of the hydrogen atoms of ammonia, NH[subscript 3] (p. 366)
• 7.3.2 Hydrogen Bonding in Amines (p. 367)
• 7.3.3 Aromatic Amines and Azo Compounds (p. 367)
• 7.3.4 Amino Acids (p. 368)
• Condensation to make peptides and proteins (p. 369)
• 7.3.5 Base Strengths of Amines (p. 370)
• 7.3.6 Some Further Reactions (p. 371)
• Reactions with acids (p. 371)
• 7.3.7 Summary of Reactions (p. 372)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 373)
• Further questions (p. 374)
• Unit 7.4 Chemistry in Our Environment (p. 375)
• 7.4.1 General Environmental Issues (p. 376)
• 7.4.2 The Earth and its Atmosphere (p. 377)
• 7.4.3 The Atmosphere (p. 378)
• Formation of ozone (p. 378)
• Formation of ions (p. 378)
• Oxides of nitrogen (p. 378)
• Any water or moisture also reacts (p. 378)
• 7.4.4 Photosynthesis (p. 380)
• 7.4.5 Fossil Fuels and Pollution (p. 380)
• 7.4.6 What is the Greenhouse Effect? (p. 381)
• 7.4.7 Acid Rain (p. 382)
• 7.4.8 Acid Rain and Plant Growth (p. 383)
• 7.4.9 Solid Wastes and Other Materials (p. 383)
• Some examples of using waste (p. 383)
• 7.4.10 Conclusion (p. 384)
• Answers to diagnostic test (p. 385)
• Further questions (p. 386)
• Appendix Selected Answers to Further Questions (p. 387)
• Alphabetical List of Elements (p. 390)
• Greek Symbols (p. 391)
• Subject Index (p. 392)