1.

3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

Chapter 1
Introduction to Chemistry

1.1 The Scope of Chemistry

1.2 Chemistry and You

1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist

1.4 Problem Solving in Chemistry

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > An Experimental
Approach to Science

An Experimental Approach to Science

How did Lavoisier help to
transform chemistry?

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > An Experimental
Approach to Science

The word chemistry comes from the word

alchemy.
• Alchemists were concerned with searching for a way to
change other metals, such as
lead, into gold.
• Alchemists developed the
tools and techniques for
working with chemicals.
• They designed equipment
that is still in use today,
including beakers, flasks, tongs,
funnels, and the mortar and pestle.
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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > An Experimental
Approach to Science

In France, Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier did work in

the late 1700s that would revolutionize the
science of chemistry.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > An Experimental
Approach to Science

In France, Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier did work in

the late 1700s that would revolutionize the
science of chemistry.

Lavoisier helped to transform

chemistry from a science of
observation to the science of
measurement that it is today.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > An Experimental
Approach to Science

• Lavoisier designed a balance that could

measure mass to the nearest 0.0005 gram.
• He also settled a long-standing debate about
how materials burn.
– He was able to show that oxygen is required
for a material to burn.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

What are the steps in the
scientific method?

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a logical,

systematic approach to the solution of a
scientific problem.

Steps in the scientific method

include making observations,
proposing and testing hypotheses,
and developing theories.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Making Observations
When you use your senses
to obtain information, you
make an observation.
• This scientist is making
observations with a
microscope.
• Observation is an
essential step in the
scientific method.
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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Making Observations
Suppose you try to turn on a flashlight
and you notice that it does not light.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Testing Hypotheses
If you guess that the batteries in a
flashlight are dead, you are making a
hypothesis.
• A hypothesis is a proposed explanation
for an observation.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Testing Hypotheses
Replacing the batteries is an experiment,
a procedure that is used to test a
hypothesis.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Testing Hypotheses
Replacing the batteries is an experiment,
a procedure that is used to test a
hypothesis.
• The variable that you change during an
experiment is the independent variable,
also called the manipulated variable.
• The variable that is observed during the
experiment is the dependent variable,
also called the responding variable.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Testing Hypotheses
For the results of an experiment to be
accepted, the experiment must produce
the same result no matter how many
times it is repeated, or by whom.
• This is why scientists are expected to publish
a description of their procedures along with
their results.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Testing Hypotheses
Sometimes the experiment a scientist
must perform to test a hypothesis is
difficult or impossible.
• For example, atoms and molecules, which
are some of the smallest units of matter,
cannot be easily seen.
• A model is a representation of an object or
event.
• Chemists may use models to study chemical
reactions and processes.
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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Developing Theories
Once a hypothesis meets the test of
repeated experimentation, it may be
raised to a higher level of ideas. It may
become a theory.
• A theory is a well-tested explanation for a
broad set of observations.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Developing Theories
• When scientists say that a theory can
never be proved, they are not saying that
a theory is unreliable.

• They are simply leaving open the

possibility that a theory may need to be
changed at some point in the future to
explain new observations or experimental
results.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Scientific Laws
The figure below shows how scientific
experiments can lead to laws as well as
theories.
Observations Hypothesis Experiments Theory
A hypothesis may be An experiment can A theory is tested by
revised based on lead to observations more experiments
experimental data. that support or and modified if
disprove a hypothesis. necessary.

Scientific Law
A scientific law
summarizes the results
of many observations
and experiments.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Scientific Laws

A scientific law is a concise statement

that summarizes the results of many
observations and experiments.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > The Scientific Method

Scientific Laws

A scientific law is a concise statement

that summarizes the results of many
observations and experiments.
• A law doesn’t try to explain the
relationship it describes.
• That explanation requires a theory.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > CHEMISTRY & YOU

What was Alexander Fleming’s

hypothesis? How could he test his
hypothesis?

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > CHEMISTRY & YOU

What was Alexander Fleming’s

hypothesis? How could he test his
hypothesis?
Other scientists had made the
same observation, but
Fleming was the first to
recognize its importance. He
assumed that the mold had
released a chemical that
prevented the growth of the
bacteria.
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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > Collaboration and
Communication

Collaboration and Communication

What role do collaboration and
communication play in science?

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > Collaboration and
Communication

When scientists collaborate and

communicate with one another,
they increase the likelihood of a
successful outcome.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > Key Concepts

Lavoisier helped to transform chemistry

from a science of observation to the
science of measurement that it is today.

Steps in the scientific method include

making observations, testing
hypotheses, and developing theories.

When scientists collaborate and

communicate with one another, they
increase the likelihood of a successful
outcome.
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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > Glossary Terms

• scientific method: a logical, systematic approach to the

solution of a scientific problem; steps in the scientific
method include making observations, testing
hypotheses, and developing theories
• observation: information obtained through the senses;
observation in science often involves a measurement
• hypothesis: a proposed explanation for an observation
• experiment: a repeatable procedure that is used to test
a hypothesis

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist > Glossary Terms

• independent variable: the variable that is changed

during an experiment; also called manipulated variable
• dependent variable: the variable that is observed
during an experiment; also called responding variable
• model: a representation of an event or object
• theory: a well-tested explanation for a broad set of
observations
• scientific law: a concise statement that summarizes
the results of many observations and experiments

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

Who is credited with transforming

chemistry from a science of observation
to a science of measurement?

A. Fleming

B. Lavoisier

C. de Mestral

D. Carothers

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

Who is credited with transforming

chemistry from a science of observation
to a science of measurement?

A. Fleming

B. Lavoisier

C. de Mestral

D. Carothers

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

What is a hypothesis?

A. information obtained from an experiment

B. a proposed explanation for observations

C. a concise statement that summarizes the

results of many experiments

D. a thoroughly tested model

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

What is a hypothesis?

A. information obtained from an experiment

B. a proposed explanation for observations

C. a concise statement that summarizes the

results of many experiments

D. a thoroughly tested model

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

Why are articles in scientific journals the

most reliable source of information about
new scientific discoveries?

A. The articles are reviewed by experts in the

author’s field.

B. Any article that is submitted is published.

C. Everyone has access to the information.

D. The articles are short and easy to read.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

Why are articles in scientific journals the

most reliable source of information about
new scientific discoveries?

A. The articles are reviewed by experts in the

author’s field.

B. Any article that is submitted is published.

C. Everyone has access to the information.

D. The articles are short and easy to read.

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

Use this paragraph to answer Questions 8–10.

  (A) One day, your car does not start. (B) You say, “The
battery is dead!” (C) Your friend uses a battery tester and
finds that the battery has a full charge. (D) Your friend
sees corrosion on the battery terminals. (E) Your friend
says, “Maybe corrosion is causing a bad connection in the
electrical circuit, preventing the car from starting.” (F) Your
friend cleans the terminals, and the car starts.
8. Which statements are observations?
9. Which statements are hypotheses?
10. Which statements describe experiments?

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1.3 Thinking Like a Scientist >

END OF 1.3

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