Books in Concepts series

The concepts covered in this title will surely get a reaction out of any student. Readers learn about heat and chemical processes, entropy, and catalysts, among other concepts. More exciting, however, they discover how these chemical processes work in real life, such as how chemical reactions lift a shuttle into space or how lifting weights builds muscle. Also included is a profile of Isaac Newton, whose findings on energy form the basis of physics and chemistry as we know them today.

We often automatically equate heat with temperature to such a degree that we may not take the time to consider what heat really is. Heat refers to the energy that is transferred from one body to another that is at a lower temperature. This transfer occurs often without us knowing it, but it is ever-present and crucial to all life. This volume examines the basics of heat and the related concept of temperature. Detailed diagrams help illustrate such concepts as specific heat capacity and latent heat. Clear text explains the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation, as well as emitters, absorbers, and more.

There are hundreds of thousands of plant species on Earth, from liverworts less than an inch tall to giant redwood trees that reach hundreds of feet into the sky. With their great variety of forms, plants have adapted to nearly every type of habitat. This title provides a strong introduction to plant biology, clearly explaining how plants structures enable them to make food, grow, survive challenging environments, and reproduce. The final chapter discusses the life of Carolus Linnaeus, whose plant taxonomy influenced classification in biology from his own era to the present day. The text meets the needs of the Common Core by helping readers learn the meaning of key terms as they are used in biology, as well as develop coherent understandings of important biological processes.

Chemistry is very important to our everyday lives. Knowledge of chemistry has been applied to advance medicine and industry, create useful products and materials, and understand and address environmental changes. This title explores the role of chemistry and chemical processes in a variety of practical areas, including the extraction and refining of metals, the harvesting and processing of fossil fuels, the production of renewable energy, and the development of pharmaceuticals. Photos, diagrams, and hands-on activities support readers in developing science vocabulary and understanding technical language, a Common Core requirement. A final chapter explores the life of chemist Linus Pauling.