chapter 1 chemistry: an introduction

1. chapter 1chemistry: an introduction

2. here we will: • define chemistry • understand the importance of learning chemistry • recognize the generalsteps scientists use insolving problems • illustrate thescientific method • develop successfulstrategies forlearning chemistry

3. Chemistry: is the study of the structure of matter, its properties and the changes it undergoes (both physical and chemical).

4. 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

5. The importance oflearning chemistry • If the chemical processes in your body stop, you will be dead • All the things you eat and drink are chemicals • Everything you touch (including the air you are breathing) is a chemical • The better you understand the reactions and structures of those chemicals, the better your life will be.

6. There’s a dark side too… Chemical discoveries and inventions can be applied in good or bad ways • Pharmaceuticals to cure diseases • Chemical weapons to kill and maim

7. A real-world chemist • Just a few of many fields in chemistry: • Organic, Inorganic, Physical, Analytical, Nuclear, Medical, Electrochemistry, Biochemistry, Neurochemistry, Astrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, etc…

8. real-world chemistry • freon • When first synthesized, it was a wonder • It could be used as a non-corrosive, stable refrigerant; was safer than ammonia • then it was discovered that freon (a CFC) was actually destroying the ozone layer • It is now banned!

9. learning chemistry • you will learn how to be a better problem solver(which will help you in other classes and in the “working world”) The class will often not be easy, but it will never be impossible this course is also designed to help you understand what chemistry is, how it works, and emphasizes how it applies to your life

10. Chemistry is often called the central science, because it is behind a lot of what happens around us

11. We will understand better the natureof these chemicals • and how we can manipulatethem

12. We will look at matter in two ways. • Macroscopic: objects or processes are of a size which is measurable and observable by the naked eye. • Microscopic: of a size which is too small to be observed with the unaided eye

13. Chemistry Often looks at macroscopic events, then tries to explain what is happening at the microscopic level

14. Using scientific thinking to solve a problem • this whole section is a great example of how to use scientific problem solving • but you can also think of personal experiences… • why did the light go out? why did my car stop? why did I take chemistry? why didn’t I sign up for wildlife biology? what is this thing on my shoulder?

15. The scientific method • the whole process of solving problems is called the scientific method

16. The Scientific Method

17. 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

18. The difference between observation and theory • observationscan be witnessed, measured, recorded • theories are just best explanations of what happened • humans are fallible, so are their explanations and interpretations

19. Law v. theory • a law is a summary of observed behaviors, not an explanation • For example: the law of gravity says things fall; it tells what happens • A theory of gravity tries to explain why things fall (gravity = warp in space-time?)

20. remember the scientific method is immersed in humanity • \ it can have problems, but it works well

21. learning chemistry • You need to learn a new vocabulary • Be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them • Be able to use abstractions for microscopic events • Need to be patient and persistent

22. learning chemistry: it’s your job