Chapter 1Introduction to Chemistry

What is ChemistryChemistry is the study of the composition of matter – the stuff things are made of – and the changes that matter undergoes. Japanese symbol means, “change study”

 

Some things in Chemistry are used practically everyday

Some things in Chemistry are theoretical now, but may become practical tomorrow

There are 5 major areas of study: Organic – the study of essentially all substances containing carbon

Inorganic – specializes on substances that do not contain carbon

Analytical – is concerned with the composition of substances

Studies continued…Physical – is concerned with theories and experiments that describe the behavior of chemicals

Biochemistry – the study of the chemistry of living organisms

Why study Chemistry?Chemistry is all around you. Clothing, home, work, school, nature

How do you know a chemical reaction has occurred?Change in colorProduction of a gasEmission of a lightChange in heat/NRG – gets hot or cold

Production of a precipitate (ppt)

Chemistry Far and WideUse chemistry to our advantage – produce iron from iron ore, mixtures of brass and bronze, and polymers to plastics, paints, etc.

NRG - Increasing demands means discovering new ways to provide NRG. Chemists are working on alternative fuel sources and developing NRG efficient cars, appliances, etc.

Areas where Chemistry is usedMedicine and Biotechnology

Drugs and cures

AgricultureFood supply and safer pesticides

The environmentIdentify pollutants, global warming

Areas continued…

Astronomy and space explorationAnalyze atmospheres on other planets; geologists learn what types of rocks make up other planets, etc.

Thinking Like a Scientist

The Scientific MethodA way of answering questionsTable on page 16 – outlines the steps of the scientific method

Scientific MethodObservation/Question – Research what you know

Hypothesis – educated guessExperimentCollection of DataConclusionRedo experiment

Scientific method continued…Scientific Law is a concise statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments.

Natural law – brings together many observations to see the “big picture”

Theory – a model – provides an explanation, can predict the outcome of future experiments.

How to Study ChemistryUnderstanding and applying conceptsLearn the language of science

Based on facts obtained from making observations and doing experiments

How to Study Chemistry continued…

Use your textbook – it is an aid, to get the most out of your reading you should always take notes.

Why? Because by taking notes you retain information better.

How to Study Chemistry continued…

Discuss what you learned in class with your friends/get a study buddy. You might understand a concept that you didn’t before or help your friend to understand it better.

So study, write and explain/talk, but not when others are talking.