Chemistry: Investigate the Matter that Makes Up Your World

by Carla Mooney, Samuel Carbaugh (Illustrator)

Overview

Have you ever wondered what makes up everything in the world around you? Or what exactly is the difference between solids, liquids, and gases? Have you wanted to know what causes two substances to react or change?

Chemistry: Investigate the Matter that Makes Up Your World introduces readers 12 through 15 to the fascinating world of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Learn how these molecules combine to form ordinary objects such as the chair you’re sitting on, the water in your glass, even you! Through hands-on, investigative projects, readers delve into the world of chemical reactions and changing matter, learning how these principles are used in many areas of science, from biochemistry to nuclear science.

Combining hands-on science inquiry with chemistry, mathematics, and biology, projects include building models of molecules and bonds, identifying acids and bases, investigating the effect of temperature on reaction rate, and observing how a chemical reaction from vinegar, water, and bleach can accelerate the rusting of steel. Chemistry offers entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars to illuminate the topic and engage readers further, plus integrates a digital learning component by providing links to primary sources, videos, and other relevant websites.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619303652
Publisher:	Nomad Press
Publication date:	05/10/2016
Series:	Inquire and Investigate Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	990L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 15 Years

About the Author

Carla Mooney is the author of several books for young readers including Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation, The Industrial Revolution: Investigate How Science and Technology Changed the World, Explore Rivers and Ponds! With 25 Projects, Rocketry: Investigate the Science and Technology of Rockets and Ballistics, and The Brain: Journey Through the Universe Inside Your Head . Her work has appeared in many magazines including Highlights, Faces, and Learning Through History. Carla lives in Pittsburgh, PA.

Samuel Carbaugh is a freelance cartoonist and illustrator. He has illustrated several books for Nomad Press, including Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation and Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future. Most recently he wrote and illustrated Comics: Investigate the History and Technology of American Cartooning. He works with many colleges and companies to create informational comics and illustrations. Sam lives in Grand Rapids, MI.

Table of Contents

• Timeline

• Introduction: Chemistry Matters!

Converting Units

• Chapter 1: Atoms, Elements, and the Periodic Table

Three-Dimensional Atom

Using the Periodic Table

• Chapter 2: States of Matter: Gases, Liquids, and Solids

Measuring Mass

Using Density to Identify Unknown Metals,

Identify Metal Ions With a Flame Test

• Chapter 3: Changing States of Matter

Boiling Point of Water

Explore Evaporation and Condensation

• Chapter 4: Compounds, Mixtures, and Solutions

Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Separating Mixtures with Chromatography

• Chapter 5: Chemical Reactions

Foaming Chemical Reactions

Calculating Molar Mass

• Chapter 6: Acids and Bases

Acid or Base?

• Chapter 7: The Nucleus and Radioactivity

Creating a Fission Model

• Chapter 8: Other Branches of Chemistry

Build a Homemade Battery

Glossary

Metric Conversions

Resources

Essential Questions

Index

Editorial Reviews

03/21/2016
A timeline that stretches from the speculated existence of atoms by the Greek philosopher Democritus to the 2010 discovery of the element ununseptium greets readers at the beginning of this addition to the Inquire and Investigate series. Mooney offers a thorough overview of what chemistry is and why it matters, in chapters exploring atoms, states of matter, compounds, chemical reactions, and more. Sidebars define terms and explain concepts like density and scientific notation; reader-directed questions and QR codes that link to online resources provide opportunities for outside discussions and investigation. Comics sequences featuring an adult scientist and three students offer breaks from the extensive information provided, while the dozen or so experiments let readers learn about condensation, test for acidic and basic properties, and create a battery from a lemon. Ages 12–15. (May)

Publishers Weekly

SWON Libraries Consortium:". . . The text is colorful, engaging and concise while appealing to multiple types of learners through visuals, text and additional activities. . . .Recommended for purchase in public and school libraries for grades 6-9. This text would also be a stellar classroom resource for many teachers."

Children's Literature
Atomic theory, the Periodic Table, states of matter, acid and base chemistry, and nuclear chemistry are just a few of the topics explored in this concise overview of general chemistry. Well-written, scientifically accurate descriptions provide a useful impression of each topic, without overwhelming the reader with too much scientific jargon.

School Library Connection:". . . This is a unique reference resource for upper elementary through high school students that want to learn more about the subject. Recommended."

Praise for Chemistry: Investigate the Matter that Makes Up Your World

SWON Libraries Consortium
". . . The text is colorful, engaging and concise while appealing to multiple types of learners through visuals, text and additional activities. . .  Recommended for purchase in public and school libraries for grades 6-9. This text would also be a stellar classroom resource for many teachers."

School Library Connection
". . . This is a unique reference resource for upper elementary through high school students that want to learn more about the subject. Recommended."

National Science Teachers Association
"Chemistry is a short but sweet book that packs a powerful punch of learning about matter on every page. . . Chemistry is a very readable, motivating, and highly interactive resource designed to promote a love of learning about the world of matter for any middle school student."

Booklist
". . .Designed to help stimulate interest in science, this volume presents the material in a methodical but varied and interesting manner, beginning with the basic building blocks—atoms and elements—before layering on additional topics over the remaining pages. . .”

School Library Journal
". . . Those with a science bent will find the information easily accessible and concise, while those with little interest will be drawn to the colorful graphic illustrations and highlighted sidebars. The experiments provided will inspire and encourage further discovery of the world of science."

Brandon S. Chance, M.S., CCHO Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Office of Risk Management, Southern Methodist University
“. . . a fantastic book and a great starting point to introduce young, budding scientists to the world of chemistry. The topics are explained very well and the experiments are easy for parents and their children to do together.”

Praise for other books by Carla Mooney:

The Brain: Journey Through the Universe Inside Your Head

Amazon #1 Hot New Release in Teen & Young Adult Biology Books

Eric Chudler, Executive Director, Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering
“Clear writing and colorful graphics make The Brain: Journey Through the Universe Inside Your Head a terrific resource for young learners interested in learning about those three pounds of tissue in our heads.”

Margaret A.B. Sheridan, Assistant Professor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
“This excellent book not only contains clear and accurate information about neuroscience, but also provides fun activities for children to engage with as they explore the brain! . . . I just wish books like this existed when I was growing up!”

Nick Spitzer, Director, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind
“. . . An excellent introduction.The text is engaging and lucid, the illustrations are fun, and cool activities are introduced to give students hands-on experience and tests of brain function. Chapters discuss the developing brain, memory and learning, the healthy brain, and much more. Highly recommended!”

Genetics: Breaking the Code of Your DNA

Booklist
" explains genetics in eight chapters that build upon one another. . . A solid resource that shows life science and biology students the practicalities and marvels of genetics."

National Science Teachers Association
". . .The book is written to the reader and I would use this book for a supplement if required to use a textbook. If I was not required to use a textbook, I would use this book for secondary classes. This book would be good to use with students that struggle with reading and content."

Praise for Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation

Winner of a 2013 Society of School Librarians International Honor Book Award

Booklist
"Like other titles in the Inquire and Investigate series, this book focuses on a high-interest topic in a cutting-edge field to reinforce young people’s understanding of the scientific method . . . an appealing and age-appropriate STEM resource."

Other books in the series:

Music: Investigate the Evolution of American Sound

School Library Journal
"This overview is a STEAM advocate's delight. . . . an admirable synopsis of the multicultural history of American music."

From the Publisher

Atomic theory, the Periodic Table, states of matter, acid and base chemistry, and nuclear chemistry are just a few of the topics explored in this concise overview of general chemistry. Well-written, scientifically accurate descriptions provide a useful impression of each topic, without overwhelming the reader with too much scientific jargon. Mooney includes excellent real-world examples to help readers connect with the abstract concepts, and each chapter contains at least one or two inquiry lab ideas that could be performed at home or in a classroom laboratory. The focus is on developing the reader’s conceptual understanding of chemistry, but some math concepts, such as the gas laws equations and stoichiometry, are also briefly introduced. Given the easy-to-read scientific explanations, this title could be an excellent supplemental resource for a physical science or middle school science section on chemistry. The depth of the explanations might be a little bit too shallow for a high school chemistry course; but even then, some of the sections could work as an introduction to a topic or as an extra resource for struggling students. Unfortunately, outside of a classroom resource, it is hard to imagine the majority of readers picking up this title for fun. One other issue is the formatting; despite being written for middle school and high school students, the cartoons and font choice sometimes skew a little bit young. Reviewer: Laura Ruttig; Ages 12 up.

Children's Literature - Laura Ruttig

03/01/2016
Gr 6–9—This title introduces readers to the wonders of chemistry and its far-reaching effects on our lives, from the carbonation in soda to nuclear reactions. A time line at the beginning of the book highlights scientific discoveries from the introduction of the idea of matter in the form of particles by Democritus in 460 BCE to the discovery of a new element in 2010. Each chapter explains an aspect of chemistry such as atoms, states of matter, compounds, and reactions. An "Inquire and Investigate" section in each chapter offers problems to solve and experiments to try. QR codes placed throughout lead to primary sources on the Internet. Those with a science bent will find the information easily accessible and concise, while those with little interest will be drawn to the colorful graphic illustrations and highlighted sidebars. The experiments provided will inspire and encourage further discovery of the world of science. VERDICT An additional purchase where science materials are in demand.—Denise Moore, formerly at O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD

School Library Journal