What is Chemistry? How do we benefit from its study? What competences,skills and attitudes are students expected to acquire as they experience the study of chemistry? How can we put chemistry to work for us? Does it have any social implications for us? These are some of the questions which pass through the minds of young students. I hope that after they have completed the course contained in this module (book-let),they will be a long way towards an appreciation of answers to these questions. Chemistry is the study of the nature and properties of all forms of matter- the substances which make up our environment and the various changes which these substances undergo in different conditions. It includes man’s attempt to transform the natural world in order to benefit from nature’s complexities and hidden resources. A major task of beginner in chemistry is to acquire a range of competences,skills and attitudes. And I personally feel that this module,if studied carefully,will lead the students to the desired goal. This booklet has been written to be used alongside an advanced chemistry book,but never the less it will definitely evoke interests in the students to do so. I would like to draw the attention of the students to the following points,which I firmly believe that they will be immensely benefited if they seriously follow these suggestion: Study skills: Revision is a personal activity. What works best for you may not be so effective for someone else. However there are some golden rules: 1. Revised little and often 2. Revise actively. Write down important points or use highlighter to mark important pages in your notes or this book (but only if you own it). 3. Write down answers to the topic questions and then check them with others. 4. Help each other. Explaining a point of chemistry to another student is a good way of clarifying your own understanding. Test each other by asking simple questions. such as formulae,definitions and reagents and product of reactions
