Chemistry

Basic Chemistry
• All Matter in universe is
composed of Atoms
– Elements are composed
of only 1 type of atom.
• Atoms are mostly empty
space.
– Atoms have Electrons
which are very small and
are negatively charged
and have a negligible
mass (mass = 0).
 Why is Chemistry Important?
• In Our Daily Lives
– New Materials
– New Pharmaceuticals
– New Energy Sources
– Food Supplies
– Can you think of others?

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Chemistry deals with the natural world.

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Source: Terry Donnelly/Stone/Getty Images
 Why is Chemistry Important?
• In Your Education
– Help you learn to Gather and Organize
Information
• Qualitative and Quantitative
– Help you learn to find Patterns in Information
– Help you learn to Analyze Complex Systems
– Help you develop skills to Predict Future
Events based on Patterns of Behavior
– Help you develop Problem-Solving Skills
• Systematic Approach
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 What is Chemistry?
• The science that deals with the materials
of the universe and the changes these
materials undergo
• The Central Science
– Understanding most other fields of science
requires an understanding of Chemistry

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 Solving Problems Using a Scientific
Approach
• Define the Problem
• Gather Information
Facts
Observations
• Propose Solutions
• Organize Information and look for Patterns
• Hypotheses

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 Solving Problems Using a Scientific
Approach
• Evaluate your Proposed Solutions
• Test your Patterns by using them to Predict
What Will Happen
• Experiments

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 The Scientific Method
• A process of studying natural phenomena
that involves making observations, forming
laws and theories, and testing theories by
experimentation

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The launch
of the space
shuttle gives
clear
indications
that
chemical
reactions
are
occurring.

Source:
NASA
 The Scientific Method
• Make Observations
– Qualitative  Descriptions
– Quantitative  Measurements
• Formulate Hypotheses
– Possible Explanations for Observed
Characteristics or Behaviors
• Perform Experiments
– Test Hypothesis

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 The Scientific Method
• Repeat the process until we get a well-
tested explanation
• Theory  a set of assumptions put forth
to explain some aspect of the observed
behavior of matter
– May need to be modified or discarded as new
information (observations) becomes known

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 The Scientific Method
• While Experimenting we may Observe the
Same Behavior all the time, and therefore
be able to Predict this Behavior will Always
Occur in the Future
• Law  a generally observed behavior
– Without explanation as to why the behavior
occurs!

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The Difference Between a Theory and a
Law

• Laws predict what will happen

• Theories explain why something

happens
– Which will also allow you to predict what
will happen!

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 Periodic Table Notation:
• Chemical elements are
represented on the periodic
table using the following format.
– The letter is an abbreviation
of Element Name
– Atomic Number is the number
is the number of protons the
atom has. It is the number
of protons an element has
which determines what
element it is.
– Mass number is the total
mass of an atom in AMU.
– It is the same as the number
of protons & neutrons of the
element.
– One can calculate the
number of neutrons an atom
has by subtracting the
atomic number (# protons)
from the mass number.
number
– Mass number CAN change
without changing the identity
of the element.
 Example Formulas:
Chemical Chemical Structural
Name Formula Formula
Water H2O

Carbon CO2
Dioxide

Methane CH4

Glucose C6H12O6