Practical, interesting chemistry book

[Null_]

I have taken general chem 1&2 and orgo chem 1&2, but I honestly don't know how the chemistry I know relates or is used in anything. I can write page long synthesis and mechanisms, but I don't really know what I'm making, if it's safe, or if it's impossible. I only have one chemistry class left for my degree, and I doubt I'll learn much applicable stuff there.

I am looking for a book that tells about the chemistry of common things and experiments and is written for someone who has a good understanding of chemistry. I don't want a book explaining what electrons are, but it may be at a children's level.

Any recommendations?

 

[phoenix:\\]

Most labs should have helped with gaining some insight into the practical nature of chemistry, but like you, I looked for more things to do outside the laboratory and now I am working on a make-shift lab sort of in terms of basic experiments and a hobby.

In the mean time, instead of buying a book, try this site:

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-chemistry

in addition to chemistry, they have a practical physics section if you wanted to do more experiments outside of chemistry. Type it into the search bar and click on the first link.

 

[Jorriss]

I have taken general chem 1&2 and orgo chem 1&2, but I honestly don't know how the chemistry I know relates or is used in anything. I can write page long synthesis and mechanisms, but I don't really know what I'm making, if it's safe, or if it's impossible. I only have one chemistry class left for my degree, and I doubt I'll learn much applicable stuff there.

To be fair... you probably don't know a lot of practical stuff because you've barely taken any chemistry. If you want to know applicable stuff, take more chemistry. Applicable stuff comes from labs and specialized courses like spectroscopy, natural products chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, enzymed catalyzed reactions, etc.