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Chapter 1: Introduction to Chemistry

Section 1.1 - The scope of Chemistry

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What is Chemistry? ● Chemistry involves studying matter● Matter: anything that has mass and takes up

space (you do not have to be able to see it….)○ Chemistry is the study of what matter is made of, and

how matter changes

● All living and non-living things are made of matter, therefore chemistry chemistry affects most aspects of life and nature

● It is the central science, as it links in well with most other aspects of science

Can you name different aspects of Chemistry?● Organic Chemistry: Study of

anything that contains carbon● Inorganic Chemistry: Study of

anything that does not contain carbon

● Biochemistry: Study of processes that take place in living things

● Analytical Chemistry: Study of what matter is made of

● Physical Chemistry: Study of changes in matter

● There is a lot of overlap between the different aspects of chemistry

Why is Chemistry an important subject to study? ● It overlaps with all other aspects of

science● An understanding of chemistry can

help you understand how things work, provide an appreciation of the natural world, and make you an informed citizen

● Many application to everyday life: cooking, baking, cleaning all utilize fundamental principles of chemistry

What is alchemy? How does it relate to Chemistry? ● Alchemists were the world’s first chemists

○ They wanted to be able to change common metals into gold (which is not possible outside the world of harry potter)

● Although unsuccessful, they were pioneers in the field of chemistry● Developed techniques for separating mixtures, developed

equipment for analysing materials● Shift to chemistry as a science occurred in Europe in the 1500s

○ King Charles II supported science, royal society established ● Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier did work in the 1700s that changed

chemistry from observation based to measurement based○ Developed a balance that measured mass to nearest 0.0005

gram○ Allowed demonstration that materials need oxygen to burn,

and can gain mass

How is science conducted? ● All scientists utilise the same process of

scientific methodology when conducting a scientific investigation

● Observations give rise to a testable hypothesis - fundamental basis for all science!

● Experiment then designed● Results collected and analyzed● Results discussed relative to published

work in the field

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Why do scientists rarely work alone? ● Many minds make like work; some

problems are just so complicated no single person could solve them by themselves

● Different people have different skill sets● All universities might be paid to do

research for a specific company● Often not easy sharing resources, and

people often have differing opinions

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How do you solve a numeric problem? ● Analyze

○ You need to work out what you know, and what you don’t know

● Calculate ○ Calculate the answer, ensuring that you

have performed any necessary unit conversions

● Evaluate ○ Check that the answer makes sense

What about non-numeric problems?

● Like numeric problems, you need to start with an analysis of the problem○ Identify what is known, and

what is unknown● You then make a plan as to how to

solve the problem● When solving the problem, a

picture of flowchart may help ○ A model might also be useful