Consistent with previous editions of AN INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE, the goal of the new Fourteenth Edition is to stimulate students’ interest in and gain knowledge of the physical sciences. Presenting content in such a way that students develop the critical reasoning and problem-solving skills that are needed in an ever-changing technological world, the authors emphasize fundamental concepts as they progress through the five divisions of physical sciences: physics, chemistry, astronomy, meteorology, and geology. Ideal for a non-science major’s course, topics are treated both descriptively and quantitatively, providing instructors the flexibility to emphasize whichever approach works best for their students.

Preface.
1. Measurement.
2. Motion.
3. Force and Motion.
4. Work and Energy.
5. Temperature and Heat.
6. Waves and Sound.
7. Optics and Wave Effects.
8. Electricity and Magnetism.
9. Atomic Physics.
10. Nuclear Physics.
11. The Chemical Elements.
12. Chemical Bonding.
13. Chemical Reactions.
14. Organic Chemistry.
15. Place and Time.
16. The Solar System.
17. Moons and Small Solar System Bodies.
18. The Universe.
19. The Atmosphere.
20. Atmospheric Effects.
21. Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics.
22. Minerals, Rocks, and Volcanoes.
23. Surface Processes.
24. Geologic Time.
Appendix A. The Seven Base Units of the International System of Units (SI)
Appendix B. Solving Mathematical Problems in Science.
Appendix C. Equation Rearrangement.
Appendix D. Analysis of Units.
Appendix E. Positive and Negative Numbers.
Appendix F. Powers-of-10 Notation.
Appendix G. Significant Figures.
Appendix H. Psychrometric Tables (pressure: 30 in. of Hg).
Appendix I. Seasonal Star Charts.
Answers to Confidence Exercises.
Answers to Selected Questions.
Glossary.
Index.

Consistent with previous editions of AN INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE, the goal of the new Fourteenth Edition is to stimulate students’ interest in and gain knowledge of the physical sciences. Presenting content in such a way that students develop the critical reasoning and problem-solving skills that are needed in an ever-changing technological world, the authors emphasize fundamental concepts as they progress through the five divisions of physical sciences: physics, chemistry, astronomy, meteorology, and geology. Ideal for a non-science major’s course, topics are treated both descriptively and quantitatively, providing instructors the flexibility to emphasize whichever approach works best for their students. All Highlight boxes and Conceptual Question and Answer boxes are now numbered within each chapter and can be referenced in the Chapter Outline. All of the chapters contain many new photographs that are relatable to students. Chapter 2 has a new Highlight, "Terminal Velocity – Don't Fail Me Now!" showcasing Felix Baumgartner's jump from the stratosphere. Chapter 5 has new text on thermometers and their applications, including an accompanying Conceptual Question and Answer. There is also a new Highlight, "Human Body Temperature," discussing "normal" human body temperature, as well as its extremes. Chapter 10 features a new Highlight, "Pebble-bed Gas Reactor," discussing possibly the next generation of nuclear reactors and how they work. Section 10.8 on Elementary Particles has been amended to include the Higgs-Boson and the resulting Nobel Prize award to Peter Higgs. Chapter 11 features a new Highlight, "Are There Really 98 Naturally Occurring Elements?" to better explain this question to students. Chapter 12 has a new table, "Predicted Molecular Shapes Using VSEPR," summarizing various molecular geometries. Chapter 14 features a new discussion on 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane, including a new Highlight, "Octane Rating." Chapter 15 has a new Conceptual Question and Answer to clarify 3-D coordinates and some new text on geographic poles. Chapter 15 also has a new Highlight, "Time Traveler" to explain the International Date Line. Chapter 16 contains updates to information on Mars according to recent explorations. Chapter 17 is updated with recent discoveries, especially relating to the moons of Saturn and Pluto, and features the latest photo of the nucleus of a comet.