Principles of General Chemistry (Third Edition)

Author: Hu Tongwen, Chen Jingzu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: This book consists of 16 chapters, primarily covering fundamental chemical principles such as the states and structures of matter, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, reaction rates, and the periodic law. The second edition (1995) was awarded the First Prize of the Excellent Teaching Materials Award by the Ministry of Education of China and has been reprinted 10 times to date. In 2002, it was selected as a national-level planning textbook for general higher education under the "15th Five-Year Plan." Adhering to the principle of inheritance and renewal:
(1) Deep yet Accessible—Fundamental principles like chemical thermodynamics and the structure of matter are core content for the course but involve extensive physics and mathematics. The authors have dedicated their efforts to presenting these concepts in a clear and engaging manner.
(2) Bridging the Gap—While focusing on secondary-level foundations, the book also ensures continuity with subsequent courses. Some content is printed in small print or footnotes to balance systematic narration with varying levels of difficulty, allowing readers to realize the saying, "Learning reveals one's limitations."
(3) Emphasis on Experiments and Historical Context—The book introduces necessary experimental phenomena and data, and some concepts are presented with reference to their historical development, enabling readers to grasp the relativity and limitations of human understanding of nature. This fosters scientific thinking and innovative spirit.
In line with curriculum reform, the third edition has added two new chapters: "Elementary Chemistry" and "Chemistry and Social Development." Readers are encouraged to explore the basic knowledge of elements from a chemical perspective and to appreciate the role and significance of chemistry in social progress. This will help them discover the richness and diversity of the discipline and spark their interest in learning. The book can serve as a textbook for foundational chemistry courses in chemistry-related disciplines or as a reference for general chemistry courses in other fields.