ENCYCLOPEDIA OF chemistry

Students beginning their study of chemistry are faced with understanding many terms that are puzzling and unrelated to contexts that make them understandable. Others may seem familiar, but in chemistry they have meanings that are not quite the same as when used in popular discourse. In science, terms need to have definite and specific meanings. One of the purposes of the Encyclopedia of Chemistry is to provide definitions for many of these terms in a manner and at a level that will make their meanings clear to those with limited backgrounds in chemistry, and to those in other fields who need to deal with chemistry. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), an international organization of chemists and national chemistry societies, makes the final determination of terminology and nomenclature in chemistry. Facts On File’s Encyclopedia of Chemistry is a reference to understanding the basic concepts in chemistry and its peripheral disciplines—crystallography; analytical, surface, physical, polymer, inorganic, and organic chemistry; bio-, geo-, and electrochemistry; and others. Arranged in alphabetical order, the entries include biographies of individuals who have made major contributions as well as numerous illustrations and photographs to help in visualizing technical concepts.