Scientific Method and Basic Chemistry

Definition: A systematic approach to inquiry and experimentation.
Steps:
1. Observation: Gather information through senses or instruments.
2. Question: Formulate a question based on observations.
3. Hypothesis: Propose an explanation or prediction that can be tested.
4. Experiment: Design and conduct experiments to test the hypothesis.
5. Analysis: Analyze data from experiments to draw conclusions.
6. Conclusion: Determine if the hypothesis is supported or refuted.
7. Communication: Share results with the scientific community.

Atoms and Molecules:
- Atoms: Basic unit of matter, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- Molecules: Two or more atoms bonded together.
Chemical Bonds:
- Ionic Bonds: Transfer of electrons between atoms, forming charged ions.
- Covalent Bonds: Sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
States of Matter:
- Solids: Fixed shape and volume.
- Liquids: Fixed volume, shape takes that of the container.
- Gases: No fixed shape or volume, expands to fill the container.
Chemical Reactions:
- Reactants: Substances that undergo a reaction.
- Products: Substances formed from the reaction.
- Conservation of Mass: Mass is conserved in chemical reactions.

Cell Theory:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the basic unit of life.
- All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Genetics:
- DNA: Carrier of genetic information; composed of nucleotides.
- Genes: Segments of DNA that code for proteins.
- Inheritance: Traits are passed from parents to offspring through genes.
Evolution:
- Natural Selection: Mechanism by which species adapt and evolve.
- Adaptation: Traits that enhance survival and reproduction.
Ecology:
- Ecosystem: Interactions between organisms and their environment.
- Food Chains/Webs: Energy flow from producers to consumers.

Motion:
- Newton's Laws of Motion:
  1. An object at rest stays at rest; an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net force.
  2. Force equals mass times acceleration (F=ma).
  3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Energy:
- Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion, calculated as 1/2mv².
- Potential Energy: Stored energy based on position or configuration.
- Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Waves:
- Types: Mechanical (require a medium) and Electromagnetic (do not require a medium).
- Properties: Wavelength, frequency, amplitude; speed of waves depends on the medium.
Thermodynamics:
- First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
- Second Law: Heat naturally flows from hot to cold; entropy increases.

Atoms and Molecules:
- Atoms are fundamental units made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- Molecules consist of two or more atoms bonded together.
Chemical Bonds:
- Ionic Bonds involve electron transfer between atoms creating charged ions.
- Covalent Bonds are formed by sharing pairs of electrons between atoms.
States of Matter:
- Solids maintain a fixed shape and volume.
- Liquids have a fixed volume but adapt to the shape of their container.
- Gases lack fixed shape or volume, expanding to occupy their container fully.
Chemical Reactions:
- Reactants are the initial substances that undergo chemical changes.
- Products are substances produced from the reactions.
- The Law of Conservation of Mass asserts that mass remains unchanged in reactions.

Cell Theory:
- All life forms consist of cells; cells are the basic structural unit of life.
- All cells originate from existing cells.
Genetics:
- DNA serves as the genetic information carrier, comprising nucleotides.
- Genes are DNA segments that dictate protein synthesis.
- Inheritance ensures traits are passed from parents to offspring.
Evolution:
- Natural Selection drives species adaptation and evolution processes.
- Adaptation refers to traits that improve survival and reproductive success.
Ecology:
- Ecosystems include interactions among organisms and their environments.
- Food chains and webs depict the energy transfer from producers to consumers.

Motion:
- Newton's Laws of Motion outline object behavior and force interactions.
- The second law describes the relationship of force, mass, and acceleration (F=ma).
- The third law highlights the principle of action-reaction.
Energy:
- Kinetic Energy refers to energy in motion, calculated as 1/2mv².
- Potential Energy represents stored energy based on an object's position.
- The Law of Conservation of Energy establishes that energy changes forms but is never lost.
Waves:
- Mechanical Waves require a medium for transmission, while Electromagnetic Waves do not.
- Wave properties include wavelength, frequency, and amplitude; speed varies with the medium.
Thermodynamics:
- The First Law indicates energy transformations, emphasizing energy conservation.
- The Second Law states that heat flows from hot to cold, leading to increased entropy.