The role of science in our lives has increased dramatically. Computers have

already revolutionized our daily existence. The pollution of our air, water, and soil

is a matter o.f imminent concern. Conquest of disease, especially AIDS, poses a

tremendous challenge. Programs to combat the use of drugs require the highest

priority.

Increased scientific literacy can contribute much to the solution of the many

problems that confront us. To provide for greater scientific literacy, the content of

science programs requires frequent upgrading. Although the emphasis must be on

usefulness and application, the understanding of fundamental principles cannot be

compromised.

The third edition of General Science has been designed with these broad aims

in mind. The scope of this book is sufficiently diversified to permit it to be used in

many learning situations. The language employed recognizes the different vocab-

ulary levels of young students.

The outstanding features of this book are as follows:

t. Presentation: The content has been organized into four major units

biology, chemistry, physics, earth science containing the necessary topics to serve

as a foundation for high school science. Each of the units is divided into a series

of chapters to make the content more easily understood. Wherever possible, con-

cepts and generalizations based upon experimentation have been developed.

2. Visualization: To make the presentation of content more meaningful,

numerous diagrams, expertly drawn, appear throughout the book. In most in-

stances, a legend, designed to further the student s understanding, accompanies

the diagram.

3. Recent Developments: Appropriate content related to environmental

preservatlon, ecology, mental health, drug abuse, space science, and nuclear energy

appears in this book. Many of these current topics, as well as other subjects of

common interest to students, have been selected for individual treatment in brief

essays. Displayed in boxes on separate pages, the essays, as you will notice, strike

the reader s attention and provide him or her with tidbits of light reading on themes

pertinent to the text.