Chapter 1: Introduction to Chemistry
1.1 The Scope of Chemistry What is Chemistry? The study of the composition of matter and the changes matter undergoes What is matter? Anything that has mass and takes up space Examples: “Chemistry affects all aspects of life and most natural events because all living and nonliving things are made of matter.”
Areas of Study in Chemistry Five Traditional Areas: Organic chemistry Inorganic chemistry Biochemistry Analytical chemistry Physical chemistry Pure Chemistry versus Applied Chemistry
Big Ideas or Central Themes: Chemistry as the central science Electrons and the structure of atoms Bonding and interactions Reactions Kinetic theory The Mole and quantifying matter Matter and Energy Carbon Chemistry
1.2 Chemistry and You Why study Chemistry? Explaining the natural world Preparing people for career opportunities Producing informed citizens Modern research in chemistry can lead to technologies that: Benefit the environment Conserve and produce energy Improve human life Expand our knowledge of the universe Examples of accidental discoveries in chemistry:
1.3 The History of Thinking like a Scientist Alchemy was the ancient study of material that developed the tools and techniques for working with chemicals such as beakers, flasks, mortar ad pestle. By the 1500’s, there was a shift from alchemy to science which provided more logical steps in solving problems.
Lavoisier’s Contributions In the late 1700’s, Lavoisier “helped to transform chemistry from a science of observation to the science of measurement that it is today.” Designed very precise balances Because some materials gained mass as they burned in air, he proved that they often react with oxygen .
The Scientific Method making observations can lead to questions. proposing and testing hypotheses: a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observation which can be tested by doing an experiment. Independent variable: the factor that is manipulated Dependent variable: the responding variable Models offer representations of objects or events that otherwise can’t be seen or observed. developing theories: well-tested explanations for broad sets of observations. Some experiments can lead to theories or laws. A scientific law is a concise statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments.
1.4 Problem Solving in Chemistry Effective problem solving involves developing a plan and then implementing that plan. Steps for solving numeric problems: Analyze: What is known? What is unknown? What equations, measurements and units are needed? Calculate Evaluate: Is your answer reasonable and does it make sense? Steps for solving nonnumeric problems: Analyze and solve