Chemguide

About the book

Factual bits

This book covers the Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry syllabus which will be examined for the first time in 2011, and which will be taught in schools starting in September 2009. It replaces Longman Chemistry for IGCSE co-authored by Jim Clark and Ray Oliver. I am the sole author of the new version.

If you are interested in the arrangement of chapters in the book, you can find it by going to the menu page of chapter-by-chapter web links.

Personal bits

Edexcel has produced a 'real' chemistry syllabus for IGCSE, which is intellectually satisfying in its own right, and provides an excellent introduction for students wanting to take the subject further. I entirely approve of this.

I have always believed that you get the best out of students if you never talk down to them. If they are taught carefully and clearly, then most students are capable of more than they imagine, and success with the early parts of a course breeds enjoyment, and then further success, in a virtuous circle. The book aims to be as helpful as possible in making chemistry understandable, but without losing rigour.

My aim has been to make sure that nothing I say (or even imply) in the book will have to be 'unlearnt' if a student goes on to A level or its equivalent. The gap between GCSE and A level in chemistry is often seen as huge, but it doesn't need to be. There are a number of simplifications which are often made at GCSE which can cause students major problems if they persist into A level - and they are all avoidable with care. This book shouldn't leave any residual problems of that sort.

Some scientific rigour is also important to those who won't do any chemistry beyond GCSE. It is getting increasingly important that we produce a generation who can pick out the scientific flaws in statements from environmentalists, politicians, and the media, and not simply believe anything they are told. (However, this isn't supposed to be a blog . . . )

Return to main IGCSE menu