The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things

Chapter 1. An Introduction to Chemistry: Turning on the Light. Chapter 2. Atoms and Elements: The Building Blocks of Chemistry. Chapter 3. Chemical Bonding: Ionic and Covalent Compounds. Chapter 4. Discovering the Secrets of the Nucleus: From a Photographic Mystery to the Atomic Bomb. Chapter 5. Harnessing the Secrets of the Nucleus: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Medicine, and a Nuclear Calendar. Chapter 6. Introduction to Organic Chemistry: The Power of Hydrocarbons. Chapter 7. Petroleum: The Driving Force of Energy. Chapter 8. Working with Chemistry: Food, Fuel, and Energy. Chapter 9. Arithmetic of Chemistry: Concentrating on Pollution. Chapter 10. Acids and Bases: If it Tastes Sour it Must be an Acid. Chapter 11. Oxidation and Reduction: The Electricity of Chemistry. Chapter 12. Solids, Liquids, and Especially Gases: The States of Matter. Chapter 13. Surfactants: Soaps and Detergents: Cleaning Up with Chemistry. Chapter 14. Chemicals, Pollution, and the Environment: The Meaning of Pollution. Chapter 15. Fats and Oils: The Triglycerides We Eat. Chapter 16. Carbohydrates: Food for Thought. Chapter 17. Proteins: First Among Equals. Chapter 18. The Chemistry of Heredity: Molecular Genetics. Chapter 19. Vitamins, Minerals, and Additives: Micronutrients and Other Food Chemicals. Chapter 20. Poisons, Toxins, Hazards, and Risks: What's Safe and What Isn't. Chapter 21. Polymers and Plastics: The Plastic Age. Chapter 22. Cosmetics and Personal Care: Looking Good and Smelling Nice with Chemistry. Chapter 23. Medicines and Drugs: Chemicals and the Mind. Appendix A. A Short Guide to Exponential Notation: Counting Beyond Nine. Appendix B. The Metric System: The Measure of All Things. Appendix C. Using Units Cancellation: Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers. Appendix D. Significant Figures: Budgeting for Gasoline. Appendix E. Working with Avogadro's Number: A Remarkable Calculation. Glossary. Answers to Selected Even-Numbered Exercises. Photo Credits. Index.