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Scientific Method

What is Chemistry?Science that deals with the materials of the

universe and the changes that those materials undergo.Matter!

Broken down into several sub-disciplinesBiochemistryOrganic ChemistryInorganic ChemistryAnalytical ChemistryPhysical Chemistry

Scientific ResearchThe process of methodical investigation into

a subject in order to discover new information about the subjectA set of procedures to ensure research is

conducted in the right way

Scientific MethodStatement of the Problem or a questionMake Observations

Gather preliminary data, research the literature

Formulate a HypothesisPossible solutions or explanations for a

problemPerform an experiment

Results must be repeatable!

Scientific Method cont.Analyze Data

Summarize Results of experimentObjective!

Draw ConclusionsHypothesis supported – accepted

Design other experiments to support hypothesis, gain more support

Doesn’t support hypothesis – rejected Modify hypothesis and do more experimentation

What next?Continue process until enough information

accumulated to understand process in question.Theory: set of tested hypotheses that gives and

overall explanation of some part of nature An interpretation. Why nature behaves a certain way.

Eventually we can apply observations to many systems, and a general statement about behavior is made.Law: Summary of observed behavior.

Tells us what happens.