2. What is Chemistry? Chemistry is the science of the composition and structure of matter and of the changes that matter undergoes. Chemistry is everything around us, the wall, your paper, you pen, plants and animals; all constitute the matter of the universe. The materials around us are composed of exceedngly small particles called Atoms. The precise arrangement of these atoms into moleculesor more complicated structures account for the many different characteristics of materials.
3. Definitions Atom – an extremely small particle of matter. Molecule – a group of atoms that are chemically bonded together.
4. Experiment &Explanation (The heart of chemical research) Experiment - the observation of a natural phenomena carried out in a controlled manner so that the results can be duplicated and rational conclusions made. Series of experiments. Regularities or patterns NOT found Regularities or Patterns found More Experiments Law – a statement or mathematical equation about a regularity or pattern within nature.
5. Experiment &Explanation (The heart of chemical research) Explanation – help organize knowledge and predict outcomes of future events. Hypothesis – a tentative explanation of some regularity of nature. Many experiments and tests. Theory – a tested explanation of basic natural phenomena. Note: Theories cannot be proven absolutely, there may be limits found later with further experiments.