IC - Introduction to Chemistry (Module Overview)
Introduction to Chemistry
In this module, we will review topics that you have already been exposed to in earlier science courses. To understand many of the processes for problem solving and scientific investigations in chemistry, we must understand the scientific method, lab safety, data analysis and measurement. While these concepts might not be new to you, we will delve further into ways that these might be applied in chemistry. Chemistry students will also use graphs to analyze data and determine mathematical relationships between variables. Microsoft Excel will be used to produce scientific graphs in the course. Solving problems using dimensional analysis is a concept that will be introduced in this unit. It will follow you through the entire chemistry course. A scientific calculator is a requirement. Using a scientific calculator that you may find on your computer or the internet is not recommended but will work in a bind. Let’s take a look at the topics covered in this introductory module.
Module Lessons Preview
In this module, we will study the following topics:
Scientific Method: In this lesson, we discuss the process of scientific inquiry. We will investigate observations, hypotheses, scientific models, variables, constants and the protocol for properly testing a hypothesis.
Lab Safety & Equipment: Laboratory Safety is essential in the traditional chemistry lab. Though most of the scientific investigations for this course will be conducted in the virtual setting, we will develop an understanding of lab safety practices required to securely maneuver in the traditional lab setting.
Analyzing & Interpreting Data: This lesson stresses the importance of analyzing and interpreting data and using math and computational thinking in chemistry.
Metrics and Measurement: Students will discover a new way of converting units in this lesson. We will refresh our understanding of the metric system and units of measurement.
Graphing in Science: Graphing is an important part of the process of scientific inquiry. We will discuss the parts of a graph as well as the process used for graphing scientific data in this lesson.
Key Terms
Scientific Method Key Terms
Scientific Method - a method of research in which a problem is identified, relevant data are gathered, a hypothesis is formulated from these data, and the hypothesis is empirically tested.
Observation - the act of noting and recording something with instruments.
Qualitative Data - data described in terms of some quality or categorization that may be informal or may use ill-defined characteristics such as warmth and flavor.
Quantitative Data - data described in terms of quantity and in which numerical values are used.
Hypothesis - a tentative explanation for an observation or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.
Experiment - a test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy of something previously untried.
Independent Variable (or manipulated variable) - the one factor that changes within an experimental group.
Dependent Variable (or responding variable) - the variable that is being measured as a result of the experiment.
Controlled Variable (or constant)- any factor that is kept the same during an experiment.
Conclusion - a position reached after consideration of data obtained from an experiment.
Analyzing & Interpreting Data Key Terms
Significant Figures – digits that carry meaning in a measurement contributing to a measurement’s precision.
Scientific Notation - a method of writing or displaying numbers in terms of a decimal number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10.
Metrics and Measurement Key Terms
Kilogram – the SI base unit for mass that represents the amount of matter in an object.
Liter – the SI base unit for volume that represents the amount of space an object or substance takes up.
Meter – the SI base unit for length that represents the distance between two points.
Second – the SI base unit for time.
Kelvin – the SI base unit for temperature.
Volume - the amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object or region of space.
Length - the measurement of the extent of something along its greatest dimension.
Temperature - a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample of matter, expressed in terms of units or degrees designated on a standard scale.
Metric System - a decimal system of units based on the meter as a unit length, the kilogram as a unit mass, and the second as a unit time.
Dimensional Analysis - a technique that involves the study of dimensions of physical quantities.
Graphing in Science
x - axis – the horizontal axis on a graph where the independent variable is plotted.
y - axis – the vertical axis on a graph where the dependent variable is plotted.