Which Chemistry Textbook Should I Use After AP Chem?

  • Thread starter Thread starter azure kitsune
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ap Chem
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recommendations for chemistry textbooks suitable for a high school senior who has completed AP Chemistry and is looking to continue their studies. The focus includes general chemistry and organic chemistry, with an emphasis on the desire for a textbook that supports reasoning and understanding rather than rote memorization.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a preference for textbooks that emphasize reasoning over memorization, indicating a strong mathematical background and a desire for a math-heavy approach.
  • Another participant recommends "General Chemistry" by Masterton/Hurley and "Organic Chemistry" by Brown/Poon, noting the availability of a solutions manual for the latter.
  • A different suggestion is made for "General Chemistry" by Linus Pauling, described as a great book.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There are multiple competing views regarding which textbooks to use, with no consensus reached among participants on a single recommendation.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not discussed specific features or content of the recommended textbooks, nor have they addressed how well these books align with the original poster's learning style or goals.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students preparing for advanced chemistry studies, educators seeking textbook recommendations, and self-learners interested in chemistry resources.

azure kitsune
Messages
63
Reaction score
0
I'm currently a high school senior. I self-studied for AP Chemistry (using Zumdahl) in 10th grade and would like to continue studying chemistry this year. My question is: what textbook should I use?

In AP Physics last year, teacher simply gave us a whole bunch of formulas to memorize. I went through them and figured out which ones were the definitions, which were the basic principles, and which could be derived from others using mathematical principles. So I'm the type of person who likes to find the reasoning behind everything. It reduces the amount of memorization and helps me understand things better.

I did pretty well in AP Phyiscs B last year, and for math, I've finished multivariable calculus and and currently self studying linear algebra. I would consider myself pretty good in math, so I wouldn't mind a textbook that's pretty math-heavy.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Thank you for those suggestions. I will look into them.
 
Look at General Chemistry by Linus Pauling. Great book.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
10K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
135K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K