introduction to chemistry and the scientific method

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