Basic Chemistry: A Foundation by Steven S Basic Chemistry: A Foundation by Steven S. Zumdahl University of Illinois 1
Chemistry: An Introduction Chapter 1
Why is Chemistry Important? In Our Daily Lives New Materials New Pharmaceuticals New Energy Sources Food Supplies Can you think of others? 2
Chemistry deals with the natural world. Source: Terry Donnelly/Stone/Getty Images
Why is Chemistry Important? In Your Education Help you learn to Gather and Organize Information Qualitative and Quantitative Help you learn to find Patterns in Information Help you learn to Analyze Complex Systems Help you develop skills to Predict Future Events based on Patterns of Behavior Help you develop Problem-Solving Skills Systematic Approach 3
What is Chemistry? The science that deals with the materials of the universe and the changes these materials undergo The Central Science Understanding most other fields of science requires an understanding of Chemistry 4
Solving Problems Using a Scientific Approach Define the Problem Gather Information Facts Observations Propose Solutions Organize Information and look for Patterns Hypotheses 5
Solving Problems Using a Scientific Approach Evaluate your Proposed Solutions Test your Patterns by using them to Predict What Will Happen Experiments 6
The Scientific Method A process of studying natural phenomena that involves making observations, forming laws and theories, and testing theories by experimentation 7
The launch of the space shuttle gives clear indications that chemical reactions are occurring. Source: NASA
The Scientific Method Make Observations Formulate Hypotheses Qualitative Descriptions Quantitative Measurements Formulate Hypotheses Possible Explanations for Observed Characteristics or Behaviors Perform Experiments Test Hypothesis 8
The Scientific Method Repeat the process until we get a well-tested explanation Theory a set of assumptions put forth to explain some aspect of the observed behavior of matter May need to be modified or discarded as new information (observations) becomes known 9
The Scientific Method While Experimenting we may Observe the Same Behavior all the time, and therefore be able to Predict this Behavior will Always Occur in the Future Law a generally observed behavior Without explanation as to why the behavior occurs! 10
The Difference Between a Theory and a Law Laws predict what will happen Theories explain why something happens Which will also allow you to predict what will happen! 11
Figure 1.1: The various parts of the scientific method.
The Best Approach to Learning Chemistry Learn the Vocabulary of Chemistry Definitions of Terms How Common Vocabulary is Applied to Chemistry Memorize Important Information Names, Formulas and Charges of Polyatomic Ions Solubility Rules Learn and Practice Processes Systematic Names and Formulas Dimensional Analysis Do the Questions and Exercises at the End of the Chapter to Test your Understanding and help you See the Patterns 12