Preface
ix
shapes of molecules, now contains a refined set of rules for predicting molecular shape, and the rules are related to the hybrid orbitals that hold the atoms
together. Even where the approach and general lines of reasoning have
remained the same as in the fourth edition, the text has been substantially
rewritten.
Conway Pierce, coauthor of the first four editions of the book and coauthor of
the first four editions of Quantitative Analysis, published by John Wiley & Sons,
died December 23, 1974, Professor Pierce was a valued friend, a stimulating
teacher, and an original researcher whose contributions to chemistry and chemical education spanned more than fifty years. I hope that this edition of the book
reflects the everchanging outlook of general chemistry while retaining the simple, direct, and clear expression for which Conway Pierce was noted.
R. Nelson Smith
October 1979
ix
shapes of molecules, now contains a refined set of rules for predicting molecular shape, and the rules are related to the hybrid orbitals that hold the atoms
together. Even where the approach and general lines of reasoning have
remained the same as in the fourth edition, the text has been substantially
rewritten.
Conway Pierce, coauthor of the first four editions of the book and coauthor of
the first four editions of Quantitative Analysis, published by John Wiley & Sons,
died December 23, 1974, Professor Pierce was a valued friend, a stimulating
teacher, and an original researcher whose contributions to chemistry and chemical education spanned more than fifty years. I hope that this edition of the book
reflects the everchanging outlook of general chemistry while retaining the simple, direct, and clear expression for which Conway Pierce was noted.
R. Nelson Smith
October 1979