1. Chemistry and the Scientific Method
An Introduction to Chemistry

2. Why Study Chemistry?

3. The Nature of Chemistry
Chemistry – study of the composition, structure, properties and reactions of matter
Matter – anything that has mass and occupies space
Chemists – make connections between the microscopic world (molecules, atoms, ions) and the macroscopic world (everyday life).
1 molecule of water – H2O – contains 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen.

4. Matter Anything that has mass and occupies space
Composed of discrete, tiny particles called atoms
Macroscopic – appears continuous
Microscopic – is discontinuous and composed of atoms.

5. The Scientific Method
A way of learning that emphasizes experimentation and observation.
Observation – a measurement of some aspect of nature
Hypothesis – A tentative interpretation or explanation of the observations
Experiments – highly controlled observations designed to validate or invalidate hypotheses

6. Scientific law – a brief statement that synthesizes past observations and predicts future ones
Theory – one or more well-established hyotheses