Page 15 - Modern Analytical Chemistry

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xiv Preface

• Problems adapted from the literature. Many of the in-chapter examples and end-
of-chapter problems are based on data from the analytical literature, providing
students with practical examples of current research in analytical chemistry.
• An emphasis on critical thinking. Critical thinking is encouraged through
problems in which students are asked to explain why certain steps in an
analytical procedure are included, or to determine the effect of an experimental
error on the results of an analysis.
• Suggested experiments from the Journal of Chemical Education. Rather than
including a short collection of experiments emphasizing the analysis of
standard unknowns, an annotated list of representative experiments from the
Journal of Chemical Education is included at the conclusion of most chapters.
These experiments may serve as stand alone experiments, or as starting points
for individual or group projects.

The Role of Equilibrium Chemistry in Analytical Chemistry

Equilibrium chemistry often receives a significant emphasis in the introductory ana-
lytical chemistry course. While an important topic, its overemphasis can cause stu-
dents to confuse analytical chemistry with equilibrium chemistry. Although atten-
tion to solving equilibrium problems is important, it is equally important for stu-
dents to recognize when such calculations are impractical, or when a simpler, more
qualitative approach is all that is needed. For example, in discussing the gravimetric
+
analysis of Ag as AgCl, there is little point in calculating the equilibrium solubility
–
of AgCl since the concentration of Cl at equilibrium is rarely known. It is impor-
–
tant, however, to qualitatively understand that a large excess of Cl increases the sol-
ubility of AgCl due to the formation of soluble silver-chloro complexes. Balancing
the presentation of a rigorous approach to solving equilibrium problems, this text
also introduces the use of ladder diagrams as a means for providing a qualitative pic-
ture of a system at equilibrium. Students are encouraged to use the approach best
suited to the problem at hand.

Computer Software

Many of the topics covered in analytical chemistry benefit from the availability of
appropriate computer software. In preparing this text, however, I made a conscious
decision to avoid a presentation tied to a single computer platform or software pack-
age. Students and faculty are increasingly experienced in the use of computers,
spreadsheets, and data analysis software; their use is, I think, best left to the person-
al choice of each student and instructor.

Organization

The textbook’s organization can be divided into four parts. Chapters 1–3 serve as an
introduction, providing an overview of analytical chemistry (Chapter 1); a review of
the basic tools of analytical chemistry, including significant figures, units, and stoi-
chiometry (Chapter 2); and an introduction to the terminology used by analytical
chemists (Chapter 3). Familiarity with the material in these chapters is assumed
throughout the remainder of the text.
Chapters 4–7 cover a number of topics that are important in understanding how
a particular analytical method works. Later chapters are mostly independent of the
material in these chapters. Instructors may pick and choose from among the topics