Abstract:
This text is an atoms-first adaptation of OpenStax Chemistry. The intention of “atoms-first” involves a few basic
principles: first, it introduces atomic and molecular structure much earlier than the traditional approach, and it threads
these themes through subsequent chapters. This approach may be chosen as a way to delay the introduction of material
such as stoichiometry that students traditionally find abstract and difficult, thereby allowing students time to acclimate
their study skills to chemistry. Additionally, it gives students a basis for understanding the application of quantitative
principles to the chemistry that underlies the entire course. It also aims to center the study of chemistry on the atomic
foundation that many will expand upon in a later course covering organic chemistry, easing that transition when the
time arrives.
Coverage and Scope
In Chemistry: Atoms First , we strive to make chemistry, as a discipline, interesting and accessible to students. With
this objective in mind, the content of this textbook has been developed and arranged to provide a logical progression
from fundamental to more advanced concepts of chemical science. All of the material included in a traditional general
chemistry course is here. It has been reorganized in an atoms-first approach and, where necessary, new material
has been added to allow for continuity and to improve the flow of topics. The text can be used for a traditional
two-semester introduction to chemistry or for a three-semester introduction, an approach becoming more common
Preface 1
at many institutions. The goal is to provide a progressive, graduated introduction to chemistry that focuses on the
fundamentally atom-focused nature of the subject. Topics are introduced within the context of familiar experiences
whenever possible, treated with an appropriate rigor to satisfy the intellect of the learner, and reinforced in subsequent
discussions of related content. The organization and pedagogical features were developed and vetted with feedback
from chemistry educators dedicated to the project.
Chapter 1: Essential Ideas
Chapter 2: Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Chapter 3: Electronic Structure and Periodic Properties of Elements
Chapter 4: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry
Chapter 5: Advanced Theories of Bonding
Chapter 6: Composition of Substances and Solutions
Chapter 7: Stoichiometry of Chemical Reactions
Chapter 8: Gases
Chapter 9: Thermochemistry
Chapter 10: Liquids and Solids
Chapter 11: Solutions and Colloids
Chapter 12: Thermodynamics
Chapter 13: Fundamental Equilibrium Concepts
Chapter 14: Acid-Base Equilibria
Chapter 15: Equilibria of Other Reaction Classes
Chapter 16: Electrochemistry
Chapter 17: Kinetics
Chapter 18: Representative Metals, Metalloids, and Nonmetals
Chapter 19: Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry
Chapter 20: Nuclear Chemistry
Chapter 21: Organic Chemistry