1.1 Chemistry in Context

Question 1

Chemistry

Answer 1

The study of the composition, properties, and interactions of matter.

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

A tentative explanation of observations that acts as a guide for gathering and checking information.

Question 3

Laws

Answer 3

Summarize a vast number of experimental observations, and describe or predict some facet of the natural world.

Question 4

Theories

Answer 4

Are well-substantiated, comprehensive, testable explanations of particular aspects of nature.

Question 5

Scientific method

Answer 5

The path of discovery that leads from question and observation to law or hypothesis to theory, combined with experimental verification of the hypothesis and any necessary modification of the theory.

Question 6

Macroscopic domain

Answer 6

It is the realm of everyday things that are large enough to be sensed directly by human sight or touch.

Question 7

Microscopic domain

Answer 7

Is often visited in the imagination.

Question 8

Symbolic domain

Answer 8

Chemical symbols (such as those used in the periodic table), chemical formulas, and chemical equations are part of the symbolic domain, as are graphs, drawings, and calculations.

Question 9

Explain how you could experimentally determine whether the outside temperature is higher or lower than 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) without using a thermometer.

Answer 9

Place a glass of water outside. It will freeze if the temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius.

Question 10

Identify each of the following statements as being most similar to a hypothesis, a law, or a theory. Explain your reasoning.
(a) Falling barometric pressure precedes the onset of bad weather.
(b) All life on earth has evolved from a common, primitive organism through the process of natural selection.
(c) My truck’s gas mileage has dropped significantly, probably because it’s due for a tune-up.

Answer 10

(A): law, summarizing observations and describes them in some way of the world.
(B): theory, well substantiated testable explanation of particular aspects of nature.
(C): hypothesis, tentative explanation of observation.

Question 11

Identify each of the following statements as being most similar to a hypothesis, a law, or a theory. Explain your reasoning.
(a) The pressure of a sample of gas is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas.
(b) Matter consists of tiny particles that can combine in specific ratios to form substances with specific properties.
(c) At a higher temperature, solids (such as salt or sugar) will dissolve better in water.

Answer 11

(A) law (states a consistently observed phenomenon, can be used for prediction)
(B) theory (a widely accepted explanation of the behavior of matter)
(C) hypothesis (a tentative explanation, can be investigated by experimentation)

Question 12

Identify each of the underlined items as a part of either the macroscopic domain, the microscopic domain, or the symbolic domain of chemistry. For any in the symbolic domain, indicate whether they are symbols for macroscopic or a microscopic feature.
(a) The mass of a lead pipe is 14 lb.
(b) The mass of a certain chlorine atom is 35 amu.
(c) A bottle with a label that reads AI contains aluminum metal.
(d) AI is the symbol for an aluminum atom.

Answer 12

(A) Macroscopic
(B) Microscopic
(C) Symbolic; Macroscopic
(D) Symbolic; Microscopic

Question 13

Identify each of the underlined items as a part of either the macroscopic domain, the microscopic domain, or the symbolic domain of chemistry. For those in the symbolic domain, indicate whether they are symbols for a macroscopic or a microscopic feature.
(a) A certain molecule contains one H atom and one CI atom.
(b) Copper wire has a density of about 8 g/cm^3
(c) The bottle contains 15 grams of Ni power.
(d) A sulfur molecule is composed of eight sulfur atoms.

Answer 13

(A) symbolic, microscopic
(B) macroscopic
(C) symbolic, macroscopic
(D) microscopic

Question 14

According to one theory, the pressure of a gas increases as its volume decreases because the molecules in the gas have to move a shorter distance to hit the walls of the container. Does this theory follow a macroscopic or microscopic description of chemical behavior? Explain your answer.

Answer 14

Microscopic, molecules in the gas are determined by microscopic properties.

Question 15

The amount of heat required to melt 2 lbs. of ice is twice the amount of heat required to melt 1 lb. of ice. Is this observation a macroscopic or microscopic description of chemical behavior? Explain your answer.

Answer 15

Macroscopic. The heat required is determined from macroscopic properties.