Chemistry
Introduction to Chemistry and the Scientific Method
Chemistry• The study of the composition of matter– What is stuff made of ????
• Different branches of Chemistry– Organic Chemistry– Inorganic Chemistry– Analytical Chemistry– Physical Chemistry– Biochemistry
The Scientific Method
• Observation• Hypothesis• Test the Hypothesis• Collect Data– Qualitative– Quantitative
• Conclusion
The Experiment
• Hypothesis: A proposed explanation or reason for an observation– Must be testable
Testable/ Non Testable
• Tomato plants like the sun
• Sunlight increases the height of tomato plants
Experimental Controls
• Control Group
• Experimental Group
What is the difference between the Control and Experimental Groups?
Experimental Controls
• Control Group: All factors in this group remain unchanged
• Experimental Group: Only one factor is changed in this group
Variables
• Independent Variable
• Dependent Variable
Variables
• Independent Variable: The factor that is controlled and changed by the scientist (Example- Sun exposure)
• Dependent Variable: The factor that is affected by the independent variable
(Example - plant height)
IN YOUR Journal:
• Create a hypothesis• State the Independent Variable• State the Dependent Variable
Conclusion
• The Outcome of the experiment• Was the hypothesis correct?
Can a scientist make a sound conclusion based on the results of 1 experiment?
Theory
• A broad and extensively tested explanation for a particular question
• It can not be proven as a law because it is possible that a new experiment will disprove it.
Scientific Law
• A statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments.
• Example: The Law of Universal Gravitation
Bubbles Lab