Chemistry

This book sets out to give a picture of the whole of the science of chemistry. Beginning with atomic theory, it goes on to describe the elements and their inorganic chemistry. Organic chemistry is introduced as a natural extension of the chemistry of carbon. Then follow two sections on analysis, and the book ends with a brief account of the more important chemical industries.

In such a small space it has obviously not been possible to be completely comprehensive. Instead, the book concentrates on the most important aspects of each topic, relating them wherever possible to modern practical applications. This is neither a text book nor an historical account of the science. There are no recipes of how to do experiments. It shows rather the present state of our knowledge and how chemistry fits in with and contributes to other natural and physical sciences.