Chemistry Basics Series: Matter

Look around--most of what you can actually see would be classified as matter. One of three titles in the Chemistry Basics Series (the other two are Atomic Theory and the Periodic Table and Chemical Reactions; series price: $199), Matter provides a thorough overview of this fundamental concept in the study of chemistry. The program looks at the four phases or states of matter (yes, four--solid, liquid, gas, and plasma)--examining their structure and properties, as well as how they are classified, incorporating plenty of vocabulary work and real-life examples, while also emphasizing empirical discovery through simple experiments (the accompanying material offers guidelines for how to conduct these in a school chemistry lab). Providing clear, straightforward explanations, and featuring built-in breaks to introduce relevant curriculum, this is recommended. Aud: J, H. (E. Gieschen)