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Explore the science of chemistry, from submicroscopic matter to the scientific method's criteria and application in hypothesis testing and experimentation. Discover the importance of skepticism, consensus, and scientific theories in advancing knowledge.
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Introduction to Chemistry The Scientific Method
Chemistry • The study of chemistry investigates all substances and their changes • Looks at matter on a submicroscopic level
Criteria of Science • Consistent • Observable • Natural • Predictable • Testable • Tentative • CONPTT for short
Is it Science? • Non-science – does not fit criteria of CONPTT (movie ratings) • False Science or Pseudoscience – claims to be a science does not fit CONPTT (astrology, phrenology) • Emerging science (Protoscience – fits most of CONPTT but not all • Junk Science – Uses bad science
The Scientific Method • Observation - gathering information through the senses. • Inference - a logical interpretation based upon prior knowledge or observations.
Hypothesis • Scientific Hypothesis: A testable statement about the natural world (that can be used to construct more complex inferences and explanations – theories); e.g. Trout avoid warm waters • A hypothesis must be testable, and be able to be potentially proven right or wrong.
Good or Bad Hypothesis • Our universe is surrounded by another, larger universe, with which we can have absolutely no contact
Good or Bad Hypothesis • There are other inhabited planets in the universe
Good or Bad Hypothesis • Any two objects dropped from the same height above the surface of the earth will hit the ground at the same time, as long as air resistance is not a factor
Scientific Method • Experimental Procedures – Steps to test our hypothesis. • Results • Conclusion - Revise your hypothesis and start over again.
Control & Variables • Variable - part of the experiment that changes (this is what you are testing). • Independent Variable – Variable that is changed by the experimenter. • Dependant Variable – Variable that changes in response to the independant variable • Control - standard for comparison.
Experimentation is the key to the Scientific Method. - Experiments are performed and data is collected. - Data is analyzed and compared to the existing hypothesis. - The hypothesis becomes a theory as data is applied and the theory is adjusted accordingly. - New experiments must be performed and the cycle continues. Scientific Method
Scientific Method • After results are reproduced, scientific studies are published in journals. • Scientists review and critique published work. • Science is self correcting. • Science is tentative.
Scientific Theory • Theory – well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and scientific results. (atomic theory, cell theory) • Theories have strong predictive abilities (Plate tectonics).
Overview of Scientific Method • Scientific Law: A descriptive generalization about how some aspect of the natural world behaves under stated conditions; e.g., Dalton’s Law, Law of Thermodynamics, Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation.
Bad Example of the Scientific Method (IMHO) • The book and documentary “Supersize Me” • The experimentation was designed to insure the results that the experimenter wanted.
Skepticism in Science • It can be argued that Skepticism has contributed to great advances in Science and in fact are the basis for the ‘hero status’ that some scientists have. • A great example of this Nicolaus Copernicus. If he thought by consensus, he wouldn’t have come up with his theories which changed the world.
Consensus Science • Science by its very nature is devoted to questioning the mainstream thoughts until substantial proof is delivered that follows the Scientific Method. • True Science shows all the facts and doesn’t allow itself to be altered.
