HSC Stuff > HSC Chemistry

Textbook Discussion

(1/1)

bsdfjnlkasn:
Hey there,

I was just wondering which textbooks everyone uses and if there are any major differences between all those available? i.e. better diagrams, explanations, examples, questions...

I understand it's best to compile notes from as many resources as possible but there aren't too many chem books in my school library and so I was wondering what would be worth purchasing in addition to my current "Conquering Chemistry" textbook.

Thank you!  :)

RuiAce:
As far as I am aware of, the most popular two textbooks for HSC chemistry are the Conquering Chemistry and Jacaranda Chemistry textbooks.

In general, Conquering Chemistry covers the bulk of what you need in a clear and concise manner. It's a very good textbook to use.

It wasn't the textbook my school prescribed though; they prescribed the latter instead. So I can't comment too much on Conquering Chem (however I have seen the textbook before). Jacaranda has the advantage of far more extensive explanations and go into a much greater depth than Conquering Chem. The downside is that its questions aren't always the most appropriate, and sometimes when you just want a few things and not a whole bulk, you'd go for Conquering chem instead.

I haven't found any problems with the diagrams in Jacaranda though.

A textbook is an expensive investment (sometimes second-hand textbooks are expensive as well). If you want to purchase it, go for it. But I don't feel that it's worth the money when other people's notes are across the internet for free.

bsdfjnlkasn:
Ok, that's a fair point I should just browse what's provided on here for FREE - still getting used to it, seems too good to be true!!
Thank you for the comparison that's really helpful, I guess I should stick to Conquering Chemistry and if I need extra stuff I can hop on and see what's here  :)

heids:

--- Quote from: bsdfjn;lkasn on December 26, 2016, 11:42:58 am ---Ok, that's a fair point I should just browse what's provided on here for FREE - still getting used to it, seems too good to be true!!

--- End quote ---

Hahaha that's what all of ATARNotes is like, mostly too good to be true... the scary thing is that it actually IS true :o :p

armtistic:

--- Quote from: bsdfjn;lkasn on December 26, 2016, 11:42:58 am ---Ok, that's a fair point I should just browse what's provided on here for FREE - still getting used to it, seems too good to be true!!
Thank you for the comparison that's really helpful, I guess I should stick to Conquering Chemistry and if I need extra stuff I can hop on and see what's here  :)

--- End quote ---

I would recommend keeping the syllabus on-hand when writing notes with Conquering Chem. Also, take a look at Shah Idil's notes. They are a bit more comprehensive than most notes and help make sure you've covered the stuff most relevant to the syllabus.
Shame there's no Chem in Focus  ;D

Navigation

[0] Message Index