Steven S. Zumdahl
Susan A. Zumdahl
Donald J. DeCoste
Chemistry: An Introduction
Gretchen M. Adams • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry
Objectives
1. To understand the importance of learning chemistry
2. To define chemistry

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry p1

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry p0

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry
A. The Importance of Learning Chemistry
• Chemistry is important to everyone because chemistry occurs all around us in our daily lives.
• Chemistry “ looks inside ” ordinary objects to study how their components behave.
• Chemists develop new materials.
• Chemistry can produce new sources of energy.
• Chemistry can help to control diseases.

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The Science of Chemistry p5

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry p5

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry p5

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry
• The Beauty of a Flower

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The Science of Chemistry p2

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The Science of Chemistry p15

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry
B. What Is Chemistry?
• Chemistry is the science that deals with the materials of the universe and the changes that these materials undergo.
• The goal of chemistry is to connect the macroscopic world you live in to the microscopic world that makes it all work.

Section 1 Chemistry Is a Physical Science
The Science of Chemistry

Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry
CHEMISTRY IS THE STUDY OF

Section 1 Chemistry Is a Physical Science
The Science of Chemistry
1. Organic chemistry —the study of most carboncontaining compounds
2. Inorganic chemistry —the study of non-organic substances, many of which have organic fragments bonded to metals (organometallics)
3. Physical chemistry —the study of the properties and changes of matter and their relation to energy

Section 1 Chemistry Is a Physical Science
The Science of Chemistry
4. Analytical chemistry —the identification of the components and composition of materials
5. Biochemistry —the study of substances and processes occurring in living things
6. Theoretical chemistry —the use of mathematics and computers to understand the principles behind observed chemical behavior and to design and predict the properties of new compounds

Section 1 Chemistry Is a Physical Science
The Science of Chemistry
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Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry
• Basic Research is carried out for the sake of increasing knowledge.
• how and why a specific reaction occurs
• what the properties of a substance are
• the discovery of Teflon ™
• Applied Research is generally carried out to solve a problem.
• development of new refrigerants

Section 1 Chemistry Is a Physical Science
Section 1.1
The Science of Chemistry
Branches of Chemistry
• Technological Development typically involves the production and use of products that improve our quality of life.
• computers
• catalytic converters in cars
• biodegradable materials
• Basic research, applied research, and technological development often overlap

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
Objectives
1. To understand scientific thinking
2. To illustrate scientific thinking
3. To describe the method scientists use to study nature

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
A. Solving Everyday Problems
• Scientific thinking helps us solve all types of problems we confront in our lives.
• Scientific thinking involves
 observations
 defining a problem
 construction of explanations
 evaluation of possible explanations or solutions to the problem

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
B. Using Scientific Thinking to Solve a Problem

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Using Science to Solve Problems p10

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
C. The Scientific Method
• The scientific method is a procedure for processing the information that flows from the world around us in which we:
 Make observations and ask questions
 Formulate hypotheses to test predictions
 Perform controlled experiments
 Draw conclusions and share results

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
C. The Scientific Method

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
bserve and state a problem or ask a question…research it
ypothesize…make a testable prediction…often and “if –then” statement
xperiment…devise a way to test your prediction
– Independent variable is the thing you change or watch
– Dependent variable is what you are observing…you want to see how it
DEPENDS on the independent variable
– Keep everything else the same…controls and constants
– Analyze results
onclude
– Explain your results with a theory (THEORIES EXPLAIN)
– State what you observe with a law (LAWS PREDICT BASED ON
OBSERVATIONS)
– Share
– Revise and do some more!

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
C. The Scientific Method
Observations Are Not Theories
• An observation can be witnessed and recorded.
• A theory is an interpretation – a possible explanation of why something happens.

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems
C. The Scientific Method
Theories Do Not Become Laws
• A natural law is a summary of behavior.
• A theory is our attempt to explain why it happens.

Section 1.2
Using Science to Solve Problems

Section 1.3
Learning Chemistry
Objective
1. To develop successful strategies for learning chemistry

Section 1.3
Learning Chemistry
A. Strategies for Learning Chemistry
• Learn the vocabulary.
• Try to understand the fundamental ideas.
• Use trial and error to solve problems.
• Practice, practice, practice!

Section 1.3
Learning Chemistry
A. Strategies for Learning Chemistry

Section 1.3
Learning Chemistry
Strategies for NOT learning chemistry
• Don’t keep up
• Don’t practice
• Don’t ask questions
• Trying to “memorize” everything instead of thinking problems through
– Note: Of course, there are some things you must memorize to make things easier, but overall, the thought processes will be most important!