Matthew Johll's Exploring Chemistry overs the standard topics for the nonmajors course in the typical order, but each chapter unfolds in the context of a single case study that helps students connect what they are learning to real-life situations. For example, students work through the often-difficult topics of molecular structure, gas laws, and organic chemistry by learning about the development of powerful new chemotherapy drugs, new technologies for screening airline passengers, and the creation of biodegradable biopolymers. It's the same same case-driven approach that Johll uses in his acclaimed Investigating Chemistry (now in its Third Edition) but Exploring Chemistry goes beyond the other book's specific focus on examples from forensic science to use real-life stories from cooking, athletics, genetics, green chemistry, and more.

Case Study Approach. A unifying case study provides the narrative throughline for each chapter, introducing chemical concepts in a relatable context. As students read about new drugs, new polymer materials, social issues, and everyday products, they learn the relevant basics of chemistry. Case studies include:
Chapter 1: Exploring Our Water Supply
Chapter 2: Exploring Evidence from a Crime Scene
Chapter 3: Exploring Historical Climate Change
Chapter 4: Investigating the Chemistry of a Poison
Chapter 5: Exploring Chemotherapy Drugs
Chapter 6: Exploring Chemistry in the Kitchen
Chapter 7: Exploring Antibiotics and Drug-Resistant Infections Antibiotics
Chapter 8: Exploring Biodegradable Polymers
Chapter 9: Investigating the Chemistry of Fire and Arson
Chapter 10: Exploring Airport Security
Chapter 11: Exploring Green Chemistry
Chapter 12: Exploring Nuclear Power
Chapter 13: Exploring Athletic Performance
Chapter 14: Exploring Genetically Modified Food
Focusing Questions connect the case to the chemistry in the chapter, helping students identify what to look for as they read.

Visuals highlight interesting aspects of forensic evidence and investigations. Each page is designed to heighten the interaction between the written text and the many detailed and accurate figures and photos of chemical reactions, processes, equipment, and molecular models. Many figures are aimed directly at showing how physical and chemical changes happen over a period of time.

Detailed Worked Examples Paired with Practice Problems give students a helpful step-by-step roadmap for problem solving, including the 'simple' (often algebraic) steps left out of many textbooks. A practice problem follows each worked example, so students can check their understanding immediately.
Flexible Mathematics Sections let instructors customize the mathematical coverage of their course. Through conceptual explanations, worked examples, and practice problems, students receive ample explanation and practice on the math topics.

In the Lab boxes illustrate the key investigative tools in chemistry, showing students how chemists use modern equipment, laboratory techniques, and analytical methods to examine samples of interest.