Chapter 1
Introduction to Chemistry
1
, 1.1 The Nature of Science and
Chemistry
§ Objectives:
• Define science and chemistry
• Describe the scientific method
• Compare and contrast hypothesis,
law and theory
2
,The Nature of Science and Chemistry
§ Science: knowledge
• Specifically, knowledge gained
through experience or experiment
– empirical knowledge
• Science is both an activity and
the result of the activity
§ Chemistry: the study of matter
and its interactions with other
matter and with energy.
3
, The Scientific Method
§ Scientific method: investigations
that are guided by theory and
earlier experiments.
§ Hypothesis: a possible
explanation for an event. What
§ Law: a statement that summarizes
-
a large number of observations.
§ Theory: an explanation of the laws
of nature. Why
4
Introduction to Chemistry
1
, 1.1 The Nature of Science and
Chemistry
§ Objectives:
• Define science and chemistry
• Describe the scientific method
• Compare and contrast hypothesis,
law and theory
2
,The Nature of Science and Chemistry
§ Science: knowledge
• Specifically, knowledge gained
through experience or experiment
– empirical knowledge
• Science is both an activity and
the result of the activity
§ Chemistry: the study of matter
and its interactions with other
matter and with energy.
3
, The Scientific Method
§ Scientific method: investigations
that are guided by theory and
earlier experiments.
§ Hypothesis: a possible
explanation for an event. What
§ Law: a statement that summarizes
-
a large number of observations.
§ Theory: an explanation of the laws
of nature. Why
4
