1. chapter 1 chemistry: an introduction

2. here we will:
define chemistry
understand the importance of learning chemistry
recognize the general steps scientists use in solving problems
illustrate the scientific method
develop successful strategies for learning chemistry

3. Chemistry: is the study of the structure of matter, its properties and the changes it undergoes (both physical and chemical).

4. The importance of learning chemistry
not just chemists use chemistry!
so do doctors, lawyers, mechanics, firefighters, forensic scientists, detectives…
chemists help produce new materials & sources of energy

5. The importance of learning chemistry
If the chemical processes in your body stop, you will be dead
All the things you eat and drink are chemicals
Everything you touch (including the air you are breathing) is a chemical
The better you understand the reactions and structures of those chemicals, the better your life will be.

6. There’s a dark side too…
Chemical discoveries and inventions can be applied in good or bad ways
Pharmaceuticals to cure diseases
Chemical weapons to kill and maim

7. A real-world chemist Just a few of many fields in chemistry:
Organic, Inorganic, Physical, Analytical, Nuclear, Medical, Electrochemistry, Biochemistry, Neurochemistry, Astrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, etc…

8. real-world chemistry freon When first synthesized, it was a wonder
It could be used as a non-corrosive, stable refrigerant; was safer than ammonia
then it was discovered that freon (a CFC) was actually destroying the ozone layer
It is now banned!

9. learning chemistry
you will learn how to be a better problem solver (which will help you in other classes and in the “working world”)
The class will often not be easy, but it will never be impossible
this course is also designed to help you understand what chemistry is, how it works, and emphasizes how it applies to your life

10. Chemistry is often called the central science, because it is behind a lot of what happens around us

11. We will understand better the nature of these chemicals
and how we can manipulate them

12. We will look at matter in two ways.
Macroscopic: objects or processes are of a size which is measurable and observable by the naked eye.
Microscopic: of a size which is too small to be observed with the unaided eye

13. Chemistry
Often looks at macroscopic events, then tries to explain what is happening at the microscopic level

14. Using scientific thinking to solve a problem
this whole section is a great example of how to use scientific problem solving
but you can also think of personal experiences…
why did the light go out? why did my car stop? why did I take chemistry? why didn’t I sign up for wildlife biology? what is this thing on my shoulder?

15. The scientific method
the whole process of solving problems is called the scientific method

16. The Scientific Method Slide 1 1. Select Layout that looks like
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17. we have to repeat the process many times
once our hypotheses start working we can develop a theory
theory (model) = set of hypotheses that gives an overall explanation of some phenomenon
a good theory should be able to predict what may happen

18. The difference between observation and theory
observations can be witnessed, measured, recorded
theories are just best explanations of what happened
humans are fallible, so are their explanations and interpretations

19. Law v. theory
a law is a summary of observed behaviors, not an explanation
For example: the law of gravity says things fall; it tells what happens
A theory of gravity tries to explain why things fall (gravity = warp in space-time?)

20. remember the scientific method is immersed in humanity
\ it can have problems, but it works well

21. learning chemistry You need to learn a new vocabulary
Be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them
Be able to use abstractions for microscopic events
Need to be patient and persistent

22. learning chemistry: it’s your job