Physical Science introduces basic concepts and key ideas while providing opportunities for students to learn reasoning skills and a new way of thinking about their environment. No prior work in science is assumed. The text offers students complete coverage of the physical sciences with a level of explanation and detail appropriate for all students.

The sequence of chapters in Physical Science is flexible, and the instructor can determine topic sequence and depth of coverage as needed. The materials are also designed to support a conceptual approach, or a combined conceptual and problem-solving approach. Along with the accompanying laboratory manual, the text contains enough material for the instructor to select a sequence for a two-semester course.

1 What Is Science?

Physics

2 Motion

3 Energy

4 Heat and Temperature

5 Wave Motions and Sound

6 Electricity

7 Light

Chemistry

8 Atoms and Periodic Properties

9 Chemical Bonds

10 Chemical Reactions

11 Water and Solutions

12 Organic Chemistry

13 Nuclear Reactions

Astronomy

14 The Universe

15 The Solar System

16 Earth in Space

Earth Science

17 Rocks and Minerals

18 Plate Tectonics

19 Building Earth's Surface

20 Shaping Earth's Surface

21 Geologic Time

22 Atmosphere of Earth

23 Weather and Climate

24 Earth's Waters

Appendix A Mathematical Review

Appendix B Solubilities Chart

Appendix C Relative Humidity Table

Appendix D Solutions to Follow-UP Examples

Appendix E Solutions for Group A Parallel Exercises