CHEMISTRY FORM 4 1.

The scientific method or scientific process is fundamental

CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY
to scientific investigation and to the acquisition of new

What is Chemistry? knowledge based on physical evidence by the scientists.

2. Scientists use observations and reasoning to propose
1. Chemistry (derived from the Arabic word kimia, alchemy, tentative explanations for natural phenomena, termed
where al is Arabic for the) is the science of matter that hypotheses.
deals with the composition, structure, and properties of 3. The scientific method is a systematic approach to
substances and with the transformations that they research. It consists of the following steps:
undergo.
2. In the study of matter, chemistry also investigates its
Steps in the Scientific Method
interactions with energy and itself.
3. Because of the diversity of matter, which is mostly
1. Making observation
composed of different combinations of atoms, chemists
a. An investigation usually begins with an observation on a
often study how atoms of different chemical elements
phenomenon.
interact to form molecules and how molecules interact
b. Observation is to observe and gather the information
with each other.
about the phenomenon.

“Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure,

properties and interactions of matter.” 2. Making Inference
After gathering sufficient information, we make an inference, or
early conclusion, based on what has been observed. The
Scientific Investigation inference may or may not be true and need to be proven true or
Scientific Method
 false with further investigation.  with the manipulated variable
3. Identifying problem
Asking question based on the inference made to identify the
problem related to the observation.  results of the experiment.
4. Making a hypothesis
a. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a
phenomenon.
b. Normally, it is a general statement about the relationship
between the manipulated variable and a responding
variable in order to explain the question ask.
5. Identifying variables
a. A variable is a factor that affects other factors in an
experiment.
b. In a scientific investigation, we need to identify all
related variables.
c. There are three types of variable, namely
i. Manipulated variable — the factor that is
purposely changed in an experiment
ii. Responding variable — the factor that changes
iii. Fixed variables — the factors that are kept
constant throughout an experiment. This is to
ensure that other factors do not affect the
6. Controlling variables
a. Deciding how to repeat the experiment several times by
using different values of the manipulated variable.
b. This step is to test the consistency in the experiment and
also to relate the manipulated variable to the responding
variable.
7. Designing the experiment
a. Deciding how to carry out the experiment, including
determine the material, apparatus, experiment sets out
and the procedure to take.
b. Always keep in mind that the main purpose of the
experiment is to o test the hypothesis.
 a. Draw conclusions based on the observations and results.
8. Carrying Out the Experiment b. State whether the hypothesis is true or false.
After the planning of the experiment is done, you will need to
carry out the experiment according to the procedure. 
12. Writing the report
9. Collecting data
a. A report is written after an experiment is performed.
a. Make observations in the experiment by watching and
b. The format of the report is arranged based on the
measuring.
scientific investigation method which is performed
b. Measure the quantities accurately using suitable systematically; starting from the problems identified to
measuring instruments and units. the last stage.
c. All data are collected and recorded in a proposed table. c. State any precautions taken to overcome problems in the
experiment.
d. A simple diagram of the experiment set-up would
10. Analysing and interpreting data sometime be useful.
a. After collecting the data, you will need to analyse the
results of the experiment.
b. Data analysis is the step to studies information by
breaking it down into smaller parts.
c. The results can be presented in various forms, such as a
table, graph or chart.

11. Making a conclusion