Understanding Basic Chemistry : The Learner's Approach

This book, the fourth in a series of Understanding Chemistry books, deals with Basic Chemistry.

Written for students taking either the University of Cambridge O-level examinations or the GCSE examinations, this textbook covers essential topics under both stipulated chemistry syllabi. The book is written in such a way as to guide the reader through the understanding and applications of basic essential chemical concepts by introducing a discourse feature — the asking and answering of questions — that stimulates coherent thinking and hence, elucidates ideas. Based on the Socratic Method, questions are implanted throughout the book to help facilitate the reader's development in forming logical conclusions of concepts. The book helps students to master fundamental chemical concepts in a simple way.

• The Particulate Nature of Matter


• Atomic Structure


• Chemical Bonding


• Mole Concept, Formula, and Stoichiometry


• Energy Change and Fuels


• Rate of Chemical Reactions


• Equilibria, Ammonia, and Sulfur


• Acids, Bases, and Salts


• Redox Reactions


• Electric Cells and the Reactivity Series


• Electrolysis


• The Periodic Table


• Metals and Extraction


• Air and the Environment


• Organic Chemistry


• Experimental Chemistry

• The book provides fundamental scaffolding to aid students to create their own understanding of the chemical concepts in O level chemistry or the GCSE equivalence


• It encourages critical thinking and meaningful applications, using the basic concepts learnt


• It guides the students to integrate the various concepts that they have learnt into a coherent and meaningful conceptual network, especially relating to the basic physical chemistry they have learnt