AP Chemistry Textbook

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>I will be independently studying AP Chemistry next year but I am having difficulty choosing which textbook I should use for my studies. Currently, the science teachers have been cooperative in this endeavor, providing the necessary materials. But which of the following textbooks is better in terms of preparation for the AP Chemistry exam: Brown and LeMay's Chemistry: The Central Science (Ninth Edition) or Zumdahl's Chemistry (Seventh Edition)? Is one book more conceptual/mathematical than the other? Is one book more detailed than the other? I enjoy details so that is fine with me as well.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>I can't provide a definite answer to your question, seeing that I've only used Zumdahl. You'll be nicely prepared if you read Zumdahl, but there's some unnecessary information not in the AP exam (like molecular orbital theory (or something like that), or like polymers in industry). Just a heads up, just in case you use Zumdahl and don't want to end up spending too much time on info you won't need to know.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your input. </p>

<p>According to one of the teachers, Zumdahl "sucks" but she never elaborated on why. I'm assuming that it's the copious details? If that's the case, then would taking notes on Zumdahl be time consuming relative to taking notes on other textbooks?</p>

4

<p>In my opinion, if you have a review book for the AP Chem exam (like Princeton Review or Barrons), you can know what to study for. Then you can just "target" what you need to read/take notes from Zumdahl.</p>

<p>Do wait for others' opinions, though. This is just me.</p>

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<p>umm, i personally enjoyed the brown book 10th edition because my book had an correlated ap syllabus, so I knew which info not to study..</p>

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<p>Zumdahl is more detailed. Brown is an easier read and explains things better.</p>

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<p>So I'm gonna be independently studying AP Chem as well next year. The textbook my school has is Brown and Lemay's 10th edition Chemistry: The Central Science. I doubt I'd be able to get my hands on Zumdahl.</p>

<p>Has anyone else used Brown and Lemay's in the past? What are your experiences?</p>

<p>Also, do you guys think I should also get a prep book or just study my text?</p>

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<p>i used both textbooks but i have to say the Brown and Lemay one is better; and get Peterson's review book</p>

<p>also study those equations because i failed those equations on this years AP exam lol</p>

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<p>Zumdahl was awful, according to the AP Chemistry students in my school. My friend was studying part of AP Chemistry for a research project, and Zumdahl didn't prove useful.</p>

<p>The "Chemistry: The Central Science" one is much better according to students this year (last year my school used Zumdahl and this year they're used the Central Science one). I'm using it to independently study this summer, and from the skimming I've done, it looks pretty good.</p>

<p>Zumdahl may be more detailed, but the way it explains concepts and the general chemistry curriculum is terrible (again, this is second hand opinions). I'd recommend you stick with The Central Science one.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the opinions guys! Any others want to put their two cents in?</p>

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<p>My book uses Zumdahl but I thought it was the worst textbook ever made.</p>

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<p>My class used Zumdahl (thus, I've never seen the Brown Textbook). Zumhdahl, imo, is way to detailed and goes into a lot of info that's not even covered on the test. If what "war chant" says is true, I'd recommend Brown over Zumhdahl.</p>

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<p>our class used zumdahl, and only the smart ppl (like 2-3 ppl in the class) could read the textbook effectively</p>

<p>but hey i live in a dumb state so i guess my input is a bit out there</p>

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<p>We used BLB this year, I found it to be a fairly good textbook. You probably can't go wrong as long as you study</p>

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<p>Do you mean the Brown text, Chemistry: the Cental Science?</p>

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<p>I used both Chemistry: The Central Science and Zumdahl. In my opinion, TCS blows Zumdahl out of the water. It’s more concise and yet feels more rigorous at the same time.</p>

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<p>My school uses Central Science and people mostly do well. Oh wait, maybe it’s because I live in Cupertino and everyone’s Asian.</p>

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<p>Chemistry, the central science, is one of my all-time favorite textbooks. It’s clear, has good problems, excellent explanations and models, and fits the AP mold considerably well. The subject matter is interesting and you actually have a good time reading it. You won’t go wrong with it.</p>

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<p>Central Science, ftw!</p>