The Scientific Method

A logical approach
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter and its transformations.
What is matter?

Since chemistry is the study of matter there must be a logical way to

study such a large field.
The Scientific Method
A framework for gaining and organising knowledge

A flexible process of creative thinking and testing

 The Scientific Method

1. Observation: something witnessed, a natural phenomena or

measured event.

• A universally consistent observation can be stated as a …..

• Facts are also gathered through observations. Facts have no

predictive value. E.g. Water is a liquid or water boils at 100°C.

2. Hypothesis: a possible explanation for an observation.

• It must be testable and can be revised if experiments show it is

inadequate.
The Scientific Method

3. Experiment: a logical controlled set of steps to gather information

and test hypotheses/theories.

• Experiments may also produce new observations.

4. Theory or model: a set of test hypotheses which explain a natural

occurrence.
• May change as new information becomes available.
• Have predictive value.
So what’s the difference between a law and a
theory?
•A law summarises what happens generally.
• All things fall.

•A theory is an attempt to explain why it happens.

• Things fall because they have mass.