CHEM 115 Lecture 1 - Introduction to Chemistry and the Scientific Method

Welcome

• Course: CHEM 115, Section 2, Fall 2020
• Format: Lectures available on YouTube and OnCourse

Introduction to Chemistry

• Definition: Chemistry is the study of matter.
• Scope: Vast and covers various applications including:
  • Environmental science (e.g., cellular processes in trees in Brazil)
  • Energy (e.g., burning fossil fuels efficiently)
  • Biology, food science, medicine, and geology
• Course Structure:
  • Topics change frequently but are interconnected.
  • Completion of Chem 1 and Chem 2 offers a broad understanding of chemistry.

The Scientific Method

• Importance: Understanding how to interpret scientific information accurately.
• Steps:
  1. Observation:
     • Qualitative: Descriptive (e.g., color, size)
     • Quantitative: Measurable, focus of this class
  2. Hypothesis:
     • An untested best guess based on observations
  3. Experimentation:
     • Test hypothesis under controlled conditions
     • Must be replicable and measurable
  4. Theory:
     • A thoroughly tested hypothesis
     • Allows for predictions but not complete understanding

Understanding Theories and Predictions

• Example: Gravity
  • We understand its effects (e.g., movement of planets, falling objects) but not the subatomic mechanics.
  • Theories provide functional predictions (e.g., jumping off a roof will cause injury).
• Conclusion: As long as predictions are accurate, the theory is functional, even if not completely understood.