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“It is more readable than any text I’ve encountered. Chapter 8: An online article on the rules for electron notation
This has been my first experience teaching university has been added to the text’s website. A reference to the on-
physical science; I picked up the book and found it line article appears in the text.
very user-friendly. The level of detail is one of this
Chapter 12 : The section on naming isomers has been moved
text’s greatest strengths. It is well suited for a
to the text’s website (with a reference to the online article in
university course.”
the text). Several new end-of-chapter exercises have been
—Richard M. Woolheater, Southeastern Oklahoma State
added.
University
Chapter 15: A new text discussion that explains Bode num-
“The author’s goals and practical approach to the bers as a coincidence has been added. There is also a new
subject matter are exactly what we are looking for in a People Behind the Science article on Gerard Peter Kuiper
textbook. . . . The practical approach to problem (1905–1973). The People Behind the Science article on Per-
solving is very appropriate for this level of student.” cival Lowell has been moved to the text’s website.
—Martha K. Newchurch, Nicholls State University
Chapter 19: Information on recent earthquake activity has
been added, including mention of the 2010 earthquakes in
“. . . the book engages minimal use of technical language
Haiti and Chili.
and scientific detail in presenting ideas. It also uses
everyday examples to illustrate a point. This approach
bonds with the mindset of the nonscience major who is
used to reading prose in relation to daily living.” THE LEARNING SYSTEM
—Ignatius Okafor, Jarvis Christian College
Physical Science has an effective combination of innovative
learning aids intended to make the student’s study of science
more effective and enjoyable. This variety of aids is included to
NEW TO THIS EDITION help students clearly understand the concepts and principles
that serve as the foundation of the physical sciences.
Numerous revisions have been made to the text to update the
content on current events and to make the text even more user-
friendly and relevant for students. OVERVIEW
Two overall revisions have been made to this edition to fur-
Chapter 1 provides an overview or orientation to what the study
ther enhance the text’s focus on developing concepts and build-
of physical science in general and this text in particular are all
ing problem-solving skills:
about. It discusses the fundamental methods and techniques
• Examples and Parallel Exercises have been added to the used by scientists to study and understand the world around us.
earth science and astronomy chapters (chapters 14–24), It also explains the problem-solving approach used throughout
including solutions in both the text and the appendices, the text so that students can more effectively apply what they
for those who want to further emphasize the computa- have learned.
tional component of the course. Additional examples and
Parallel Exercises are also available online for some
chapters, with applicable references in the text. CHAPTER OPENING TOOLS

• Several new and revised figures and photos have been Core Concept and Supporting Concepts
added to the text to help update and clarify the material. Core and supporting concepts integrate the chapter concepts
and the chapter outline. The core and supporting concepts out-
The list below provides chapter-specific updates:
line and emphasize the concepts at a chapter level. The con-
Chapter 7: A text discussion on the everyday use of relativity cepts list is designed to help students focus their studies by
has been added along with end-of-chapter questions on the identifying the most important topics in the chapter outline.
same topic.

PREFACE xiii