Introduction

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Introduction
Learning activities:
Lecturing with ppt
In-class demo
Video demo
Experiments (done by students)
Grapping souvenirs and playing them at home
Required reading:
Serendipity: accidental discoveries in science, Royston M. Roberts, Wiley,
N.Y., 1989. Reserved @ UL. Call no.: Q172.5.S47R63 1989
Assessment scheme:
Assessment component
Term paper
Assignment
Laboratory session (10/4)
In-class quiz (I) (27/2)
In-class quiz (II) (17/4)

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Description
Each student chooses one of the topics specified by the teacher.
Two take-home assignments
Doing experiment in a laboratory and completing work-sheet
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Q&A
Q: Is everything same as that in the past years?
A: No.
Q: Will we study or watch the TV series, The X-Files ?
A: No. There is little to do with this TV series.
Q: How are the lectures compared with the Discovery
Channel?
A: Honestly, may not be as good. But the Discovery
Channel does not have souvenirs for audiences.
Q: Can I skip class?
A: No attendance will be taken (but you should come on
27/2, 10/4, and 17/4 see below) . Of course, teachers
should not encourage students to skip class. (You know
what I mean.)

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Q&A
Q: What if I dont come on 27/2, 10/4, and 17/4?
A: You wont get the marks contributed by the events.
Q: Other than listening to the lecture, what else can I
do in the class?
A: To be a polite person, you need to pay attention to
the lecture as much as possible. Bottom line: dont
do anything which annoys your classmates and the
teacher. For example, whispering could by annoying
even though you keep the voice level low. Be smart:
if your classmates keep their eyes at you or the
teacher stares you, that means your whispering is
already intolerable.
Q: Could I eat or drink in classroom?
A: No. But drinking water is usually acceptable.

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Q&A
Q: Could I leave the classroom (to take a break, to eat or drink, to
leave earlier, etc.) in the middle of the lecture?
A: Yes, please leave at the backdoor (quietly).
Q: Could I come late for the lectures?
A: Yes, please enter the classroom at the backdoor
(quietly).
Q: Do I have to have good background in chemistry, physics, and
mathematics?
A: Basic concepts in these fields will be briefly introduced in this
course. The principles behind will be made as simple as possible.
You may also refer to the sample ppt file downloadable at:
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/chem/doc/UGEB2370Chap_sample.pdf

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Q&A
Q: I have no laboratory techniques at all. Will I be able to finish the
experiments in the laboratory session?
A: Little laboratory technique is needed. Mostly importantly, you need
to follow the safety regulations, make good use of your common
sense, make careful observations, collaborate with your partner, and
do the experiments tidily.
Q: Are the experiments safe for students to do?
A: Certainly! unless you do it in a dangerous manner.
Q: Are the in-class quizzes open-book exam? Is cheat-sheet allowed?
A: No. (x2)

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The Scientific Method

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Hypothesis vs. Theory

Hypothesis

Theory

Definition

A suggested explanation for an

observable phenomenon or
prediction of a possible causal
correlation among multiple
phenomena.

Based on

Suggestion, possibility, projection

Certainty, evidence, verification,
or prediction, but the result is
repeated testing.
uncertain.

Testable

Yes

Yes

Falsifiable

Yes

Yes

Is well
substantiated

No

Yes

Data

Usually based on very limited data

Instance

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In science, a theory is a wellsubstantiated, unifying explanation for

a set of verified, proven hypotheses.

Based on a very wide set of data

tested under various circumstances.
General: A theory is the establishment
Specific: Hypothesis is usually
of a general principle through multiple
based on a very specific
tests and experiments, and this
observation and is limited to that
principle may apply to various specific
instance. http://www.diffen.com/difference/Hypothesis_vs_Theory
instances.
UGEB 2370 Chap00

Control Experiment
An observation may be
due to a number of
factors. In control
experiments, only one
factor is allowed to
change, whereas all the
others are kept the same.

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Cause and Result

A common mistake: when one event is observed
with another, it is misjudged that one results in the
other.
The truth may be:
AB
A
B

A
C
B
where C is not
easily observed.
E.g., fever resulting
in brain damage.
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Basic Terms in Chemistry

Atoms: indivisible particles (by chemical or
physical means). Atoms of the same kinds or
different kinds can be combined to form different
substances. At sufficiently high temperature, all
substances are broken down into atoms. At
room temperature (25 C), the atoms can be
combined in different ways.

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Basic Terms in Chemistry

Chemical
reactions

Heating
> 2000 C

Heating

Chemical reactions
> 100 C

25 C
Oxygen atom
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Hydrogen atom

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Basic Terms in Chemistry

Strictly speaking: atoms are indivisible particles
is not correct. At least they can be peeled off
as we will see, an atom consists of layers of
electrons and one of more electrons can be
removed from an atom.
For example, under extreme experimental
condition, scientists have successfully taken 30
electrons from a krypton atom, leaving 6
electrons around the nucleus: (2,8,18,8)
(2,4,0,0).

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Basic Terms in Chemistry

More appropriately, it is the nucleus which cannot
be divided or broken down (by chemical or
physical means). Yet, some nuclei still can be
broken down in nuclear reactions.
Historical development of chemistry: from big to
small based on experience. So ambiguities are
not surprising.
If from small to big, 3 types of particles
eventually build up everything. Fewer ambiguities
but more boring.
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Basic Terms in Chemistry

Element: a pure substance
with the same kind of atoms.
Compound: a pure substance
with different kinds of atoms, in
which the different kinds of
atoms are in specific proportion.
Mixture: containing two or more element(s) and
compound(s), the proportion of which is non-specific.

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Chemical Symbols
Element: each element is represented by H, He,
, etc.
Compound: a compound is represented as
AxByCz, which indicates the no. of atoms of A,
B, C, etc. are in the ratio x:y:z, in which x,y,z,
are simplest integers, e.g., 1:2:3 rather than
2:4:6.
Some elements and compounds consist of
identical particles called molecules. They are
called molecular substances.
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Chemical Symbols
Cf.:
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2)
Silicon dioxide is known to be a nonmolecular substance, so SiO2 Si : O = 1:2.
Carbon dioxide is known to be a molecular
substance, so CO2 means the substance consists
of molecules, which of each consists of 1 carbon
atom and 2 oxygen atoms. Accordingly, C : O in
carbon dioxide is 1:2.
Also compare: sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P 4)
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Complete list (English):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol_(chemistry)#Current_sy
mbols
Complete list (Chinese):
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%96%E5%AD
%B8%E5%85%83%E7%B4%A0

Chemical Symbols for Elements

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Chemical Equations
Chemical Equations:
to describe chemical reactions
E.g., 2 H2(g) + O2(g) H2O(l)
2 Na(s) + Cl2(g) 2 NaCl(s)
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
2 C2H6O(l) + 6 O2(g) 4 CO2(g) + 6 H2O(l)

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Chemical Equations
Note:
The equation is usually written in a balanced form, in
the sense that the no. of each type of element atoms
are the same on both sides. E.g., in the last equation:
C:
O:

LHS
2x2=4
2+12=14

RHS
4x1=4
8+6=14

H:

LHS
2x6=12

RHS
6x2=12

Physical states: usually written down

(s): solid; (l): liquid; (g): gas;
(aq): aqueous (dissolved in water).

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