Master Chemistry, From the First Atom to the Final Exam
A Modern Guide to General Chemistry
Welcome to Chem.Academy, a free textbook designed to teach you how to think like a chemist, not just memorize a list of facts. Chemistry is a skill. This site is designed to help you build that skill from the ground up.
Key Features
Concepts First, Then Calculations
Every chapter builds a strong conceptual foundation before introducing the math. When we use a simplified model, we say so. All data and terminology are grounded in authoritative standards from IUPAC and NIST.
A Consistent Problem-Solving Method
Worked examples follow a strict approach: start with a symbolic equation, rearrange algebraically, then substitute values. Significant figures are tracked through intermediate steps using a clear notation. This is how scientists solve real problems.
Practice Until It’s Second Nature
Interactive Skill Drills let you practice core skills like nomenclature and solubility rules with immediate feedback. Extensive problem sets with complete solutions accompany each chapter.
Explore the Site
The Book — The main textbook, covering General Chemistry I and II. Start here if you’re working through a course.
Notes — Historical context and supplementary explanations. Why did scientists switch from “amu” to “u”? What can we learn from Millikan’s data selection? Chemistry is a human endeavor.
Skill Hub — Skill Drills for flashcard-style practice on nomenclature, solubility, and acids/bases. Learning Labs for interactive simulations like the Solution Builder.
Quick Reference — Interactive tables of constants, conversion factors, thermodynamic data, and more. Search, sort, and filter to find what you need.
For Instructors
This site was designed with classroom use in mind.
- Skill Drills include a presentation mode (📽️) that enlarges the interface for projection.
- The site is projector-friendly — pages remain readable and navigable when zoomed for a classroom display.
- Reference tables are searchable and designed for quick lookup during lecture or problem-solving sessions.
This textbook is under active development. Content is being added and refined regularly. All published material is reviewed for accuracy, but if you spot an error or have feedback, please reach out at .
Start Learning
All content on this site is completely free. Begin with the fundamentals or use the navigation above to jump to the topic you need.