1. Chapter 1 Introduction to Chemistry by Christopher G. Hamaker
Illinois State University 1

2. Evolution of Chemistry
The Greeks believed in four basic elements:
1. Air
Fire
Water
Earth
All substances were combinations of these four basic elements.

3. The Scientific Method
Science is the methodical exploration of nature followed by a logical explanation of the observations.
An experiment involves scientists who explore nature according to a planned strategy and make observations under controlled conditions.

4. The Scientific Method, Continued
The scientific method is a systematic investigation of nature and requires proposing an explanation for the results of an experiment in the form of a general principle.
The initial, tentative proposal of a scientific principle is called a hypothesis.
After further investigation, the original hypothesis may be rejected, revised, or elevated to the status of a scientific principle.

5. Applying the Scientific Method
Step 1: Perform a planned experiment, make observations, and record data.
Step 2: Analyze the data and propose a tentative hypothesis to explain the experimental observations.
Step 3: Conduct additional experiments to test the hypothesis. If the evidence supports the initial proposal, the hypothesis may become a scientific theory.

6. Applying the Scientific Method, Continued
After sufficient evidence, a hypothesis becomes a scientific theory.
A natural law states a measurable relationship.

7. Modern Chemistry
Chemistry is a science that studies the composition of matter and its properties.
Chemistry is divided into several branches:
Organic chemistry is the study of substances containing carbon.
Inorganic chemistry is the study of all other substances that don’t contain carbon.
Biochemistry is the study of substances derived from plants and animals.
Green chemistry is the design of chemical processes that reduce waste and hazardous substances.
Physical, electrochemistry, materials, analytical…

8. Chemistry Connection: “Worth Your Salt?”
Salt was once so valuable, it was used to pay Roman soldiers
Table salt is obtained by three major processes:
Salt Mining
Solution Mining
Solar Evaporation of Salt Water
Table salt is necessary for the human body, but too much can cause high blood pressure

9. Problem Solving Connect the dots using only four straight lines.
Experiment until you find a solution.

10. Problem Solving, Continued
Connect the dots using only four straight lines.
Experiment until you find a solution.
Did you have to use five straight lines?
No matter which dot we start with, we still need five lines.

11. Problem Solving, Continued
Are we confining the problem?
We need to go beyond the nine dots to answer the problem.

12. Chemistry: The Central Science
Knowledge of chemistry is important to understanding the world around us.

13. Chapter Summary
Scientists use the scientific method to investigate the world around them.
Experiments lead to a hypothesis, which may lead to a scientific theory or a natural law.
Chemistry is a central science with many branches.
The impact of chemistry is felt in many aspects of our daily lives.