Scientific Method PDF - CHEM 1211 - Augusta University

Scientific Method CHEM 1211 Why Am I Studying Chemistry? Chemistry What is Chemistry? – Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. “Science is organized knowledge” Organized collection of knowledge. Gained by observation of the physical world in the present. Order...

Scientific Method CHEM 1211 Why Am I Studying Chemistry? Chemistry What is Chemistry? – Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. “Science is organized knowledge” Organized collection of knowledge. Gained by observation of the physical world in the present. Order Allows repeatability Allows broad generalizations based on a finite number of facts. FIRE Ancients: Substance changed to fire. Phlogiston Theory: Becher and Stahl 17th century Priestly: the discovery of oxygen Lavoisier: Father of Modern Chemistry Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris  Process of Doing Science Scientific Method Wheel of Scientific Inquiry http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair- Robinson. J. Chem. Ed. 2004, 81, 791 projects/project_scientific_method.shtml Process of Doing Science Scientific Method Observation – Qualitative data: info that describes color, odor, shape, or other physical characteristic – Quantitative data: numerical info such as Temperature or pressure Hypothesis: tentative, testable statement or prediction about an observation Scientific Method Experiment: set of controlled observations that test the hypothesis – Independent variable: what you plan to change in your experiment – Dependent variable: changes based on independent variable: – Control: a standard for comparison; consistent across experiment Conclusion – A statement based on experimental measurements and observations. – Includes a summary of the results, whether or not the hypothesis was supported, the significance of the study, and future research Theory vs. Law Theory: explanation of a natural phenomenon based on observations and investigations over time – Not the same as a hypothesis! Law: a relationship in nature that is supported by many experiments Laws are generalizations of what nature does. Theories are models for the way nature is and tries to not only explain what nature does but why. – Laws are patterns; Theories are explanations.