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Chem 103 -Real Exam 1 -2026- Study
Guide 100% Guaranteed Pass
Understand the overarching principles of science
a way of seeing the world
requires agreed upon principles and languages
relies upon observation prefers quantitative measurement rather than qualitative
Understand the discovery cycle
observation -> hypothesis -> experiment
outcomes: what (natural law)
why (logical model)
Understand the understanding cycles
theory -> prediction -> experiment -> modifies theory
What is a natural law?
statement of behavior that is always found
something that always occurs
What is a theory?
a logical model
-explains why outcomes are seen
Understand the relationship between theory, prediction, and experiment
the understand cycle
theories
lead to
prediction
lead to
experiments
modify
theories
What is chemistry?
the study of matter
-composition
-structure
-properties
-change in matter
-interaction w/ energy
What is matter?
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has mass and occupies space
Be familiar with physical states of matter
solid: fixed shape, fixed volume
liquid: no fixed shape, fixed volume
gas: no fixed shape, no fixed volume
Understand fundamental compositions
elements:(PURE) composed of atoms
--cannot be broken down into simpler parts or simpler substances
compounds;(PURE) composed of molecuels
--≥2 atoms joined in fixed proportions
mixtures: readily separable combinations of elements/compounds/or both
- proportions are not fixed
***************- Know the name/symbol correspondence for the first four rows of
the periodic table, plus the additional elements listed in lecture
Know the two types of mixtures discussed in class
Homogenous- visibly uniform
heterogenous - visibly non uniform
Understand uncertainty
uncertainty in measurements must always be taken into account
all measurement is only trustworthy to a degree
Differences between accuracy and precision
accuracy: agreement w/ true value
-hard to know
precision: reproducibility of a measurement
- easier to know
Understand indeterminate error and determinate error
indeterminate error: random error
-associated w/ poor precision
-values can be high or low
determinate error: systematic error
-associated w/ poor accuracy
-values tend to be off the mark in one direction
-- often the result of miscalibration
Be familiar with significant figures (see handout!)
is to use scientific notation
-- all nonzero are significant
--all captive zeros are significatn
Chem 103 -Real Exam 1 -2026- Study
Guide 100% Guaranteed Pass
Understand the overarching principles of science
a way of seeing the world
requires agreed upon principles and languages
relies upon observation prefers quantitative measurement rather than qualitative
Understand the discovery cycle
observation -> hypothesis -> experiment
outcomes: what (natural law)
why (logical model)
Understand the understanding cycles
theory -> prediction -> experiment -> modifies theory
What is a natural law?
statement of behavior that is always found
something that always occurs
What is a theory?
a logical model
-explains why outcomes are seen
Understand the relationship between theory, prediction, and experiment
the understand cycle
theories
lead to
prediction
lead to
experiments
modify
theories
What is chemistry?
the study of matter
-composition
-structure
-properties
-change in matter
-interaction w/ energy
What is matter?
, 2 | Page
has mass and occupies space
Be familiar with physical states of matter
solid: fixed shape, fixed volume
liquid: no fixed shape, fixed volume
gas: no fixed shape, no fixed volume
Understand fundamental compositions
elements:(PURE) composed of atoms
--cannot be broken down into simpler parts or simpler substances
compounds;(PURE) composed of molecuels
--≥2 atoms joined in fixed proportions
mixtures: readily separable combinations of elements/compounds/or both
- proportions are not fixed
***************- Know the name/symbol correspondence for the first four rows of
the periodic table, plus the additional elements listed in lecture
Know the two types of mixtures discussed in class
Homogenous- visibly uniform
heterogenous - visibly non uniform
Understand uncertainty
uncertainty in measurements must always be taken into account
all measurement is only trustworthy to a degree
Differences between accuracy and precision
accuracy: agreement w/ true value
-hard to know
precision: reproducibility of a measurement
- easier to know
Understand indeterminate error and determinate error
indeterminate error: random error
-associated w/ poor precision
-values can be high or low
determinate error: systematic error
-associated w/ poor accuracy
-values tend to be off the mark in one direction
-- often the result of miscalibration
Be familiar with significant figures (see handout!)
is to use scientific notation
-- all nonzero are significant
--all captive zeros are significatn
