Supplementary notes 1

Introduction to Chemistry

1.1 What is Chemistry about?

Chemistry is the study of substances, about their compositions, structures, properties

and the changes among them.

1.2 Observation in chemistry

Chemistry is an experimental science, observation is very important. Observation in

chemistry includes four activities:

1) Seeing with eyes

2) Feeling with hands

3) Smelling with nose

4) Hearing with ears

Example:
Add a small piece of magnesium ribbon to a test tube containing dilute sulphuric acid. Write
down the changes you observe.

Observations:

1) Gas bubbles are evolved from the magnesium surface.

2) The magnesium ribbon becomes smaller in size; it eventually dissolves completely to

form a colorless solution.

3) The test tube becomes hot.

4) A hissing sound is heard.

1.3A Laboratory Safety Rules

➢ It is essential to obey the laboratory safety rules when working in the laboratory.

DON’Ts
1 Do not enter the laboratory unless a teacher is
present.
2 Do not run or play in the laboratory.
3 Do not remove anything from the laboratory without your teacher’s permission.
4 Do not touch chemicals with bare hands. Use a spatula to transfer solid chemicals (Fig. 1.1).
5 Do not leave experiments unattended.
6 Do not smell gases directly — wave the gas towards your nose as shown in Fig. 1.2.

Fig. 1.1 Use a spatula to transfer solid chemicals Fig. 1.2 The correct way to smell a gas

7 When you put a chemical into a test tube for heating, Fill not more than one third of the test
tube with the chemical. Do not look down at the test tube directly or point its mouth towards
anyone when holding it for heating (Fig. 1.3).

Fig. 1.3 Do not point the mouth of the test tube towards anyone when holding it for heating

8 Do not taste anything in the laboratory.

9 Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.
10 Do not put chemicals into the sink. Put them into appropriate waste bottles.
11 Do not wear loose clothing, nor allow your hair or tie to dangle when conducting
experiments.
DOs
1. Always follow strictly the instructions given by your teacher.
2. Always read the label on a reagent bottle carefully to make sure it contains the chemical
you need. Put the bottle back to its original position immediately after use.
3. Wear safety goggles (Fig. 1.4) and protective gloves whenever necessary.

Fig 1.4 Wear safety glasses whenever necessary

4. Always handle flammable chemicals with great care. Keep them away from naked flames.
5. Always handle concentrated acid and alkalis with great care.
6. Report all accidents and breakages to your teacher. If a chemical gets onto your skin or
clothing, wash the affected area with plenty of water.
7. Turn off the Bunsen burner when it is not in use.
8. Always wash your hands thoroughly after experiments.

1.3B Hazardous chemicals

Hazardous chemicals are substances which may cause injury to people or

damage to property. The following figures show examples of some common

hazard warning labels.

 When handling hazardous chemicals, students should always wear safety goggles and
disposable gloves for protection.

1.4 Common apparatus

Many different pieces of apparatus are required when we do experiments in laboratory. The
figures below show some of the common laboratory apparatus.

Label the following apparatus:

 1.5A Changes of substances
Substances change in many ways. Changes can be classified into physical and chemical
changes.

(i) Physical change

A physical change is a change in which no new substances (=other chemicals) are

formed.
 e.g. When water is heated to boil, it changes to steam.

(ii) Chemical change

A chemical change is a change in which one or more new substances are

formed.

e.g. When iron is exposed to moist air for a long time, it changes to rust

Class Practice 1
State whether each of the following is a physical change or a chemical change.
Explain.
(a) Burning a piece of paper.

Chemical change because new substances (ashes) are formed.

(b) Sugar dissolves in water.

Physical change because it doesn’t form new substances.

(c) Water changes to ice in a freezer.

Physical change because it doesn’t form new substances.

(d) Putting magnesium ribbon to dilute sulphuric acid.

Chemical change because new substances (hydrogen and metal salt) are formed.
1.5B Properties of substances
(i) Physical properties

Physical properties of a substance are those properties that can be determined without

the substance changing into another substance (=without chemical changes). e.g.

a) Appearance (color and physical state)

b) Smell

c) Taste

d) Hardness

e) Solubility in water

f) Electrical conductivity

g) Thermal conductivity

(ii) Chemical properties

Chemical properties of a substance are the properties to react (= to undergo

chemical change) under different conditions.

e.g. Paper burns vigorously in air to give black ashes. This shows paper has the chemical

properties to react with air.

In addition, can you think of the chemical properties of

(a) Magnesium;

It can react with dilute sulphuric acid.

(b) Iron;

It can react with moist air.

 (c) Calcium.

It can react with water.

Class Practice 2
Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow:
Oxygen

Oxygen is an important part of the atmosphere, and is necessary to support most life. It is
highly reactive and can form various oxides with metals and non-metals. Fortunately, it can be
continuously replenished by photosynthesis of green plants.

Oxygen changes from a gas to a pale blue liquid at −182.96°C, and then can be frozen to a 2.
At room conditions, oxygen is a colorless and odourless gas with the molecular formula O

Oxygen is fairly soluble in water to support aquatic lives. Uptake of oxygen in the air is the
essential purpose of respiration, so oxygen treatment is used in medicine. This treatment
increases oxygen levels in the patient's blood and reduces workload on the heart. Oxygen therapy
is used to treat lung diseases and some heart disorders.

(a) What physical properties of oxygen can you find from the above description?

-At room conditions, oxygen is a colorless and odorless gas

-Oxygen is fairly soluble in water
-At -182.96*C, oxygen is frozen

(b) What chemical properties of oxygen can you find from the above description?

-It can react to metals

(c) State TWO physical changes that can be found from the above description.

-Oxygen changes from a gas to a pale blue liquid at 182.96*C and then can be frozen
-Oxygen changes from a gas to solid at -218.4*C
(d) State TWO chemical changes that can be found from the above description.

-It reacts with metals and non-metals to form various oxides

(e) Suggest ONE use of oxygen.

-Oxygen therapy

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