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The document provides an introduction to chemistry, outlining its major branches: inorganic, organic, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. It emphasizes the importance of chemistry in daily life and education, highlighting its role in problem-solving and understanding natural phenomena through the scientific method. The document also distinguishes between theories and laws in chemistry, and suggests effective learning strategies for mastering the subject.

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Minda Quilapio David
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12 views17 pages

1 Introduction 1

The document provides an introduction to chemistry, outlining its major branches: inorganic, organic, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. It emphasizes the importance of chemistry in daily life and education, highlighting its role in problem-solving and understanding natural phenomena through the scientific method. The document also distinguishes between theories and laws in chemistry, and suggests effective learning strategies for mastering the subject.

Uploaded by

Minda Quilapio David
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic Chemistry:

A Foundation

by Jerico Soriano
Our Lady of Fatima University

1
Chemistry: An Introduction

Chapter 1

2
Major Branches of Chemistry
• 1. Inorganic Chemistry – all the elements and their compounds except the
element carbon.
• 2. Organic Chemistry – study of carbon compounds specifically
hydrocarbons and their derivatives.
• - deals with the reaction of the study of most carbon containing
compounds.
• 3. Biochemistry – study of compounds present in living organisms and
their interactions with one another.
• - “Chemistry of living organism”
• 4. Physical Chemistry – study of physical processes in chemical reactions.
• - Study of the structure of matter, energy, changes and the laws, principles
and theories that govern the transformation of matter and their relations.
• 5. Analytical Chemistry – study of what and how much substance/s is
present in a particular sample of matter.
• - identification, separation and quantitative determination of the
components of different molecules. 3
Why is Chemistry Important?
• In Our Daily Lives
– New Materials
– New Pharmaceuticals
– New Energy Sources
– Food Supplies
– Can you think of others?

4
Chemistry deals with the natural world.

5
Source: Terry Donnelly/Stone/Getty Images
Why is Chemistry Important?
• In Your Education
– Help you learn to Gather and Organize
Information
• Qualitative and Quantitative
– Help you learn to find Patterns in Information
– Help you learn to Analyze Complex Systems
– Help you develop skills to Predict Future
Events based on Patterns of Behavior
– Help you develop Problem-Solving Skills
• Systematic Approach
6
What is Chemistry?
• The science that deals with the materials
of the universe and the changes these
materials undergo
• The Central Science
– Understanding most other fields of science
requires an understanding of Chemistry

7
Solving Problems Using a Scientific
Approach
• Define the Problem
• Gather Information
Facts
Observations
• Propose Solutions
• Organize Information and look for Patterns
• Hypotheses

8
Solving Problems Using a Scientific
Approach
• Evaluate your Proposed Solutions
• Test your Patterns by using them to Predict
What Will Happen
• Experiments

9
The Scientific Method
• A process of studying natural phenomena
that involves making observations, forming
laws and theories, and testing theories by
experimentation

10
The launch
of the space
shuttle gives
clear
indications
that
chemical
reactions
are
occurring.

Source:
NASA
The Scientific Method
• Make Observations
– Qualitative  Descriptions
– Quantitative  Measurements
• Formulate Hypotheses
– Possible Explanations for Observed
Characteristics or Behaviors
• Perform Experiments
– Test Hypothesis

12
The Scientific Method
• Repeat the process until we get a well-
tested explanation
• Theory  a set of assumptions put forth
to explain some aspect of the observed
behavior of matter
– May need to be modified or discarded as new
information (observations) becomes known

13
The Scientific Method
• While Experimenting we may Observe the
Same Behavior all the time, and therefore
be able to Predict this Behavior will Always
Occur in the Future
• Law  a generally observed behavior
– Without explanation as to why the behavior
occurs!

14
The Difference Between a Theory and a
Law

• Laws predict what will happen

• Theories explain why something


happens
– Which will also allow you to predict what
will happen!

15
Figure 1.1:
The various
parts of the
scientific
method.
The Best Approach to Learning
Chemistry
• Learn the Vocabulary of Chemistry
– Definitions of Terms
– How Common Vocabulary is Applied to Chemistry
• Memorize Important Information
– Names, Formulas and Charges of Polyatomic Ions
– Solubility Rules
• Learn and Practice Processes
– Systematic Names and Formulas
– Dimensional Analysis
• Do the Questions and Exercises at the End of the
Chapter to Test your Understanding and help you
See the Patterns

17

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