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chapter 1 chemistry: an introduction. here we will: understand the importance of learning chemistry define chemistry recognize the general steps scientists use in solving problems illustrate the scientific method develop successful strategies for learning chemistry.
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here we will: • understand the importance of learning chemistry • define chemistry • recognize the generalsteps scientists use insolving problems • illustrate thescientific method • develop successfulstrategies forlearning chemistry
1.1 The importance oflearning chemistry • not just chemists use chemistry! • so do doctors, lawyers, mechanics,firefighters, forensic scientists, detectives… • chemists help produce new materials & sources of energy • even if you don’t become a chemist,chem influences your life every day
there’s a dark side, too • chemicals aren’t bad or good, but they can be used in good or bad ways, and… • chemists can be shortsighted, driven by greed, and very stubborn in their ways - like a lot of humans!
A real-world chemist • make sure and read this section for an idea of how a typical chemist works • just a few of many fields in chemistry:
real-world chemistry • freon demonstrates a real world chem example • when first synthesized was a wonder • could be used as a non-corrosive, stable refrigerant; was safer than ammonia • then discovered that freon (a CFC) was actually destroying ozone • now banned!
learning chemistry • you will learn in this classhow to be a betterproblem solver (whichis what employers look for!) • is often not easy, but is never impossible • this course is also designed to help you understand what chem is, how it works, and emphasizes how it applies to your life
1.2 what is chemistry? • the science that deals with the materials of the universe, and the changes these materials undergo • often called the central science, b/c a LOT of what happens around us involves the changes of chemicals
as we go on through chem, we’ll understand better the nature of these chemicals • and how we can manipulate them
we’ll see things in the big world, the everyday view, and refer to this as the macroscopic world • we’ll also look into the unseen microscopic world
chem will look at the macro, then try to explain using the micro
1.3 solving problems using a scientific approach • everyday we encounter a “problem,” an unexpected event that needs explaining • we all go through several steps to find an explanation…
1 • recognize the problem and state it clearly • called in science making an observation
2 • propose a possible solution to the problem or possible explanation • called formulating an hypothesis
3 • decide which solution is best, or which explanation is most reasonable • use old info or experience or new insights or new info • searching for new info called performing an experiment
1.4 using scientific thinking to solve a problem • this whole section is a great example of how to use the sci prob solving • but you can think of personal experiences… • why did the light go out? why did my car stop? why did I take chem? why didn’t I sign up for wildlife biology? what is this thing on my shoulder!!!???…
1.5 the scientific method • the whole process of solving problems is called the scientific method…
we have to repeat the process many times • once our hypotheses start working we can develop a theory • theory (model) = set of hypotheses that gives an overall explanation of some phenomenon • a good theory should be able to predict what may happen
big difference between observation and theory • observations can be witnessed or measured or recorded (the begininng) • theories are just best explanations of what happened (the end) • humans are fallible, so are their explanations and interpretations!!!
a law is a summary of observed behaviors, not an explanation • e.g. the law of gravity says things fall; it tells what happens • the theory of gravity tries to explain why things fall (gravity = warp in spacetime?)
remember the scientific method is immersed in humanity… • \ can have many problems, but it works well - a lot!
1.6 learning chemistry • need to learn to think small • need to learn a new vocabulary • need to get used to being wrong in a good way • need to learn to examine • need to be patient!!!
