Unit 1: Chemical Foundations Flashcards
What is the definition of chemistry?
The natural brand of sciences dealing with the composition, properties and reactions of matter using micro and macroscopic perspectives.
What are the 3 branches of chemistry?
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
What are the 2 goals of chemistry?
Accuracy and Precision
What is accuracy?
Accuracy is the level to which the experimental/determined value agrees with a known/theoretical value
How is accuracy measured and what is the formula for it?
-Using percent error
- [(exp-theo)/theo] * 100%
What should the percent error be for high school students?
It should be less than or equal to 10%
What is an example of accuracy?
The closer an arrow is to the center of a dartboard, the more accurate it is
What is the definition of precision within a set of numbers?
The smaller the difference within a set, the higher the precision
What is the definition of precision with regards to tools?
- The smaller the window for error in a tool, the higher its precision
- In measurement tools, the precision is indicated by plus or minus half the smallest unit available
What is the definition of precision within individual measurements?
As indicated by significant figures, the greater the number of sig. figs, the greater the precision
What is the scientific method?
A systematic process with one input variable, and one output variable, while all the other variables are controlled
List the steps of the scientific method
- ask a question
- form an hypothesis
- design an experiment
- do an experiment
- make observations
- analyze
- draw a conclusion
Why is creativity important in the scientific method?
It is important when asking a question, forming an hypothesis, finding observations and forming a conclusion.
What makes a good experiment?
- It would be a slow and systematic process
- You have to identify the variables
- Be clear on what you are ultimately measuring
What is an experiment?
Something that involves a new input variable