Textbook Discussion

[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]

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!!

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

[armtistic]

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 

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