Chapter 17: Issues, Problems and Solutions: Summing It All Up

Chemistry is unique in combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to problem solving, and problem solving is omnipresent in chemistry research and in chemistry education. The contents of this book make it clear that conceptual knowledge and understanding are not only essential for knowing and applying mathematics in chemistry but also for dealing with issues in many areas specific to chemistry, for instance in the study of molecular structure, in designing strategies for organic synthesis, and in the spectroscopic identification of chemicals. The various chapters of this book provide excellent insights and solutions to a wide range of types and kinds of chemistry problems. This chapter presents extended summaries of the contents of the individual chapters in the book, and in addition provides comments on the chapters, including some broader considerations and implications. The chapter also includes a brief coverage of various important issues and topics related to chemistry problem solving that are not covered by earlier chapters of this book.