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Any Chemistry teachers out there? Pure chemistry for junior children?

12 replies

roisin · 16/08/2005 19:45

DS1 is obsessed with 'pure chemistry', and is fascinated by atoms and elements, and how they combine. I did get an A at O level a long time ago, but I don't think I deserved it, and can't remember anything about it.

He keeps asking questions like:
Why are Hydrogen and Oxygen both highly flammable and explosive?
And why is water not?
And what happens to the elements when something burns? Do they change chemically, or not?

Do you know of any textbooks or correspondence courses which might be suitable to satisfy his curiosity that are not too dry and turgid? (And enable me to stay one step ahead!)

He already has the sort of 'kitchen chemistry' books, and enjoys experimenting. But he seems to have a desire to learn the theory behind it, and as non-scientists we're both rather out of our depth

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roisin · 16/08/2005 21:02

bump

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GeorginaA · 17/08/2005 14:42

roisin - not really what you're asking, but I'm fairly sure as a kid I had the Usbourne Book (or Big Book?) of Science. It was 3 books in one (separated into Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) and it really sparked my interest in all things scientific. I'm not sure if it's in print anymore - I'm trying to do an online search now. But it sounds like it's the sort of thing you're after?

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GeorginaA · 17/08/2005 15:15

Found it here but it's looking a bit ancient now, lol. There must be a similar publication though brought up to date? Worth hitting a big bookshop near you and having a good browse?

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GeorginaA · 17/08/2005 15:17

This seems to be the updated one but is more dictionary style than textbook style. You can "see inside" on that link to see if it's similar to what you were looking for.

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GeorginaA · 17/08/2005 15:46

Or there's a First Encyclopedia of Science but not sure if that might be a bit too simplistic for him?

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roisin · 17/08/2005 18:27

Thanks Georgina - that looks great: certainly the sort of thing we're looking for.

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GeorginaA · 17/08/2005 19:04

phew, glad one was of use... I got a bit carried away

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stitch · 17/08/2005 19:05

try the bbc bitesize stuff. they do it for all ages etc.

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roisin · 17/08/2005 19:22

LOL - I've just looked at some of the Bitesize stuff for 11-14s, and got 2 out of 6 in a test. I DEFINITELY didn't deserve that O level, did I?

It's good stuff on there, but I'm not sure he would regard it as "fun" because of the presentation. He'd much rather curl up with a book.

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tamum · 17/08/2005 19:23

I'm sure you'll have already thought of Horrible Science but I thought I would mention it anyway (and I guessed this might be your ds!)

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tamum · 17/08/2005 19:31

How about this ? It's apparently aimed at GCSE but looks very (perhaps too) simple

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roisin · 17/08/2005 19:43

Oh thanks Tamum: "Chemistry for you" looks fabulous, spot on I think.

But talking of Horrible Science, Redhouse are doing 10 for £10 if anyone else is interested!

PS I'm amused that you guessed this was my ds?! LOL!

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