Is my textbook typical?

Question

I'm studying chemistry over the summer and just got a high-school level textbook. I believe it's the same textbook used at Hunter College High School (HCHS).

It's freaking pathetic. Pages 10-11 are half pictures, and page 11 is all about voting for federal science funding. There are large pictures on every page. The typeface is big, and the sentences are small. At the end of every page, there's a 'checkpoint' where they ask you about something you read two seconds ago.

Then there's this gem of a question:

Workers digging a tunnel through a city find a collection of ancient pots decorated with geometric designs. What task or tasks might they ask a chemist to do?

a. Determine the materials used to make the pots.

b. Explain what the designs on the pots represent.

c. Recommend how to store the pots to prevent further damage.

Or how about this:

Explain how knowledge of chemistry can help you be a more informed citizen.

What does that have to do with science? Is this really normal?

Answer 1

Yes, it's very typical for many textbooks.  Most math texts have happy pictures of kids, lots of graphics, and perhaps poetry, but very little math.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, yes... Your textbook is very typical. In fact I've never seen a highschool chemistry textbook (or one of any subject for that matter) that doesn't look like yours. This is a big chunk of why I'm now homeschooled. If the material is too easy for you, you might consider using your textbook as nothing more than a guide... Something that tells you the order in which to learn the topics, and what the topics are to begin with, then go and do your own research at a local library, reading nonfiction books written for adults. So if you're supposed to learn about atoms in today's lesson, go to the library and find books about the discover of the attom, atomic structure, and so on. You'll get much better, much more useful and much more interesting information that way.

Answer 3

Seems as if it is the sort of school book I'd expect to find at primary school level (year 6 and below). I don't think it's uncommon to find these 'idiot guides to the politically correct and bleedin' obvious' being passed off as school texts -- just one of the reasons I couldn't go to school; just one of the reasons I was bored stupid when I did go to school!

Personally I prefer the IB textbooks...I strongly suspect you would get a lot more satisfaction from a text like those!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/01991514...

Click on the 'Table of Contents' and 'Index' buttons on the left ('sections') and compare what's included with what's included in your tutor's recommended text!

For instance: a typical question from the IB Chemistry textbook is:  

Part 1

The pK of propanoic acid at 298K is 4.87

a) Write the equation for the dissociation of propanoic acid, C2H5COOH, in water;

b) What is the value of Ka for propanoic acid at 298K;

c) Write the equilibrium expression for the dissociation of propanoic acid in water;

d) Calculate the pH of a 0.05 mol dm-3 aqueous solution of propanoic acid, stating any assumptions you make in arriving at your answer.

Part 2

a) What will be the pH of a 3.00 X 10 -3 mol dm-3 aqueous solution of methylamine ?  

b) If it is compared against 3.00 X 10-3 mol dm-3 aqueous solutions of ammonia and ethylamine, which of the three solutions would have the lowest pH?

I reckon you'd enjoy yourself heaps more and get heaps more out of having the opportunity to get stuck into questions such as these!

(I'd also, in an evil moment, like to know how many public school educated 15yr olds can come up with the correct answers, with their 'workings out' (just so I know they haven't just looked up the 'right answers' in a book) !!!)

Answer 4

yes, because they try to get you started with a little background information and stuff. Flip to the middle of the book and see if it gets better. They main thing about a chem text for me is that they present stuff in a clear manner, so pictures may help, and they have lots of practice problems, some of which are challenging.

Have fun with chemistry, I love the subject myself =)

Answer 5

The introduction and/or first chapter of most science books are a general introduction to the basic field, not to the subject itself.  It doesn't look like a great textbook, maybe 8th grade level, but not much higher - try skipping ahead a few chapters.

Answer 6

Yes it is typical for public school.  

If you want a good science book try Apologia.  They are written from a Christian perspective, and some people criticize them for that, but they are very sound scientifically, the Biology book even goes extensively into the theory of evolution (while also pointing out the holes in that theory).

The Chemistry text is excellent, and since chemistry is not really affected by one's world view or religion, the Christian element should not really be an issue.

You can see a sample Module at the website, and also view the table of contents.  Since the sample module is the first, it is a basic introduction to the concepts you will need, I recommend also looking at the table of contents to to get an idea what is in later modules.

Here is the website:

https://apologia.securesites.net/store/i...

Answer 7

Yes, sadly enough I think it is typical.  My daughter (who has never been to school before) has been going to school since Nov.   I am appalled by the "fluffy no brain" text books and materials that they are using in her school.  (and so is she)

Most of what she does is make work, politically correct, feel good stuff.  If I was the teacher I would heave it out the window, but they can't, it is government proscribed.

We have used Apologia science at home.  Biology and Physical Science.  They seem to be okay.  haven't seen their Chem though.