1. chapter 1 chemistry: an introduction

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

3. 1.1 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
even if you don’t become a chemist, chem influences your life every day

4. there’s a dark side, too
chemicals aren’t bad or good, but they can be used in good or bad ways, and…
chemists can be shortsighted, driven by greed, and very stubborn in their ways - like a lot of humans!

5. A real-world chemist
make sure and read this section for an idea of how a typical chemist works
just a few of many fields in chemistry:

6. freon demonstrates a real world chem example
real-world chemistry
freon demonstrates a real world chem example
when first synthesized was a wonder
could be used as a non-corrosive, stable refrigerant; was safer than ammonia
then discovered that freon (a CFC) was actually destroying ozone
now banned!

7. learning chemistry
you will learn in this class how to be a better problem solver (which is what employers look for!)
is often not easy, but is never impossible
this course is also designed to help you understand what chem is, how it works, and emphasizes how it applies to your life

8. 1.2 what is chemistry?
the science that deals with the materials of the universe, and the changes these materials undergo
often called the central science, b/c a LOT of what happens around us involves the changes of chemicals

9. as we go on through chem, we’ll understand better the nature of these chemicals
and how we can manipulate them

10. we’ll see things in the big world, the everyday view, and refer to this as the macroscopic world
we’ll also look into the unseen microscopic world

11. chem will look at the macro, then try to explain using the micro

12. 1.3 solving problems using a scientific approach
everyday we encounter a “problem,” an unexpected event that needs explaining
we all go through several steps to find an explanation…

13. 1 recognize the problem and state it clearly
called in science making an observation

14. 2 propose a possible solution to the problem or possible explanation
called formulating an hypothesis

15. 3
decide which solution is best, or which explanation is most reasonable
use old info or experience or new insights or new info
searching for new info called performing an experiment

16. 1.4 using scientific thinking to solve a problem
this whole section is a great example of how to use the sci prob solving
but you can think of personal experiences…
why did the light go out? why did my car stop? why did I take chem? why didn’t I sign up for wildlife biology? what is this thing on my shoulder!!!???…

17. 1.5 the scientific method
the whole process of solving problems is called the scientific method…

18. The Scientific Method Slide 1 1. Select Layout that looks like
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19. 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

20. big difference between observation and theory
observations can be witnessed or measured or recorded (the begininng)
theories are just best explanations of what happened (the end)
humans are fallible, so are their explanations and interpretations!!!

21. a law is a summary of observed behaviors, not an explanation
e.g. the law of gravity says things fall; it tells what happens
the theory of gravity tries to explain why things fall (gravity = warp in spacetime?)

22. remember the scientific method is immersed in humanity…
\ can have many problems, but it works well - a lot!

23. 1.6 learning chemistry need to learn to think small
need to learn a new vocabulary
need to get used to being wrong in a good way
need to learn to examine
need to be patient!!!

24. learning chemistry: it’s your job