About This Book

This textbook was created through Connecting the Pipeline: Libraries, OER, and Dual Enrollment from Secondary to Postsecondary, a $1.3 million project funded by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network and the Institute of Library and Museum Services. This project supports the extension of access to high-quality postsecondary opportunities to high school students across Louisiana and beyond by creating materials that can be adopted for dual enrollment environments. Dual enrollment is the opportunity for a student to be enrolled in high school and college at the same time.

The cohort-developed OER course materials are released under a license that permits their free use, reuse, modification and sharing with others. This includes a corresponding course available in Moodle and Canvas that can be imported to other platforms. For access/questions, contact Affordable Learning Louisiana.

If you are adopting this textbook, we would be glad to know of your use via this brief survey.

Cover Image

The cover image is “Earth from space, hurricane” by NOAA, NASA and via Wikimedia Commons is in the public domain.

Introduction

This is a physical science text intended for non-science majors that covers introductory chemistry and physics topics. Below are descriptions of the content found under different headings throughout the text, and how it is recommended that the reader approaches these sections.

Link to Learning – Sections that begin with this subtitle include links to simulations or websites that are included to apply and reinforce your knowledge of the topic. It is recommended that you follow directions (if given) on what to try within the simulations but also that you investigate and explore the simulations on your own. Try to find concepts in the simulation that make more sense after reading about the physical or chemical science behind it.

Examples – Most chapters have at least one example problem in which the solution is provided step-by-step along with the basic concepts that will assist in solving similar problems.

Misconception Alert – These sections provide clarification of common misunderstandings related to the topic.

Take-Home Experiments – These at-home learning opportunities relate the scientific concepts presented to observations and experiences in daily life.

Check Your Understanding – Sections that begin with this subtitle are meant to gauge your understanding of the material.