Notes for Chapter 1 Applied Chemistry

Scientific Method

Types of Variables Independent variable-the variable that we change Dependent variable-the variable that changes because of the independent variable

Basic Steps of the Scientific Method 1Observations and measurements  Lavoisier stated that measurements could be made 2Hypothesis made 3Experiments are conducted to test hypothesis

Areas of Chemistry 1.organic chemistry-carbon 2.Inorganic chemistry-all the other elements 3.Analytical chemistry-measuring amounts 4.Physical chemistry-chemical processes 5.Biochemistry-chemistry of living organisms Pure chemistry – chemistry done to learn something Applied chemistry – chemistry done to solve a problem

Scientific Theory and Law Theory – explanation for a large set of observations – tells you why it happens Law – description of an observation – tells you what happens Example: law of gravity