http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Fri, 24 May 2013 07:07:18 PDT Fri, 24 May 2013 07:07:18 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=442844 This virtual/open textbook is composed of 40 chapters covering general chemistry (1st and 2nd semesters) as well as advanced chemistry topics (e.g. advance aquatic chemistry, a survey of envirnomental geobiochemistry). ״This "reference text" is intended to serve either as a supplement to a regular textbook or as a substitute for one. In the former case it will be useful, and in the latter case essential, for the instructor to provide a syllabus (or links within a learning management system) that guides the student through the sections appropriate to the particular course and correlates it with lectures, problem sets, and other course activities. Institutions that incorporate these materials into their courses should consider downloading this collection to serve as a backup in the event that this site should become unavailable. Please see the download menu item for instructions. Terms of use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. This project began in the late 1980's as a means to supplement (or in some cases to largely replace ) the conventional textbook treatments of various topics in courses in General Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry. The purpose was in most cases to provide alternatives to what seemed to be the rather shallow standardized treatments of certain topics presented in many commercial textbooks. These became the "assigned reading" for several of my courses. Eventually, and with the help of an extensive set of computer-based lessons״Stephen Lower is a retired member of the faculty of the Dept of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University Burnaby / Vancouver, Canada http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=443413 According to Textbook Revolution, a student-run site “dedicated to increasing the use of free educational materials by teachers and professors,” "Here’s a comprehensive online-only book on the wet stuff, in a very well-laid out format. Frequently updated, searchable, and easy to browse. Highly Recommended!״From the website itself: “Liquid water (H2O) is often perceived to be pretty ordinary as it is transparent, odorless, tasteless and ubiquitous. It is the simplest compound of the two most common reactive elements in the Universe. However, it is the most remarkable substance. Although we drink it, wash, fish and swim in it, and cook with it (although probably not all at the same time), we nearly always overlook the special relationship it has with our lives. Droughts cause famines and floods cause death and disease. We are about two-thirds water and, without it, we die within a few days. It has importance as a structured and structuring solvent, a solute, a reactant and a biomolecule. Life cannot evolve or continue without liquid water, which is why there is so much fuss about water being found on Mars and other planets and moons. Water is the second most common molecule in the Universe (behind hydrogen, H2) and is fundamental to star formation. It is unsurprising that it plays a central role in many of the World’s religions. Because of its clear importance, water is the most studied material on Earth but it comes as a surprise to find that its behavior and function are so poorly understood (or even ignored), not only by people in general, but also by scientists working with it everyday.”