Introduction

• Chemistry deals with the natural world. It is the study of matter and its composition, structure, properties, and changes.
• Chemistry is the science that deals with the materials of the universe and the changes these materials undergo. This is the "Central Science."
• The three (3) steps in solving problems using a scientific approach are: Define the Problem, Propose Solutions or Hypothesis, and Evaluate your Proposed Solutions through Experiments.
• Scientific Method is a process of studying natural phenomena that involves making observations, forming laws and theories, and testing theories by experimentation.
• The four (4) steps in the scientific method are: Make Observations, Formulate Hypothesis, Perform Experiments, and Repeat the Process
• Theory is a set of assumptions put forth to explain some aspect of the observed behavior of matter. It may need to be modified or discarded.
• Law is the generally observed behavior without explanation as to why the behavior occurs.
• Laws predict what will happen while Theories explain why something happen.
• An analysis is taking a substance apart to learn what is made up of.
• Synthesis is combining the parts to produce a completely new substance or an improved substance like the old one.
• The scientific method is a way of answering questions about the world we live in.
• Natural law describes how nature behaves but does not explain why nature behaves in that particular way.
• When a chemist performs an experiment, the factor being tested is called the independent variable.
• After making observations and proposing a hypothesis, a scientist’s next steps is usually to perform an experiment.
• A scientist is running a test of her hypothesis. This process is called experiment.