Chapter 3: Chemical Compounds

Chemical Compounds draws a clear distinction between molecular substances, which consist of individual units linked by covalent bonds, and ionic compounds, which exist as expansive crystalline networks maintained by electron transfer. Students are introduced to various symbolic representations, including empirical, molecular, and structural formulas, alongside visual tools like ball-and-stick and space-filling models that illustrate three-dimensional geometry. A core focus is placed on the quantitative mole concept, teaching how to apply molar mass and Avogadro's constant to perform essential stoichiometric conversions between grams and elementary entities. The material details analytical techniques such as combustion analysis and percent composition to deduce the formulas of unknown substances based on experimental mass data. Additionally, the text provides a structured approach to assigning oxidation states as a fictional charge for bookkeeping electrons and mastering chemical nomenclature for inorganic salts, binary acids, and complex polyatomic ions. The final sections provide an entry point into organic chemistry, covering the naming of hydrocarbons, the identification of isomers—molecules with identical formulas but unique structures—and the impact of functional groups, specifically alcohols and carboxylic acids, on molecular behavior.