Chapter 1

The Foundations of
Chemistry
 Chemistry
What is chemistry?
• Chemistry is the study of matter all the
changes it undergoes.
What is matter?
• Matter is anything that has mass and
occupies space.
The Scientific Method

• Make observations
• Propose hypothesis
• Make predictions
• Test hypothesis
• If inconsistent,
modify hypothesis
• Repeat
• Scientific theory: best current explanation
for various phenomena
– Makes predictions for further
experiments
• Scientific law: universal explanation of
specific phenomena
• Scientific model: explains complicated
phenomena
 Scientific Method
Law of Conservation of Matter- In a
chemical or physical reaction, there is no
change in the quantity of matter.
Law of Conservation of Energy- Energy can
neither be created nor destroyed, it can
only be converted from one form to
another.
Both of these proposed as hypothesis,
became theories and then laws.
 Scientific Method
Then came Einstein, with his famous
equation
E = mc2
Now the laws had to be modified to state:
The combined amount of matter and
energy of the universe in constant- Law of
Conservation of Matter and Energy
 Chemistry
• Measurement (Set 1 SI units)

• Significant Figures (Set 1 Sigfigs)

• Scientific Notation

• Calculations and conversions

(Dimensional Analysis)
 Measurement
Physical Quantity Units Abbreviation
Mass Kilogram kg
Length Meter m
Time Second s
Temperature Kelvin K
Electric Current Ampere A
Amount of substance Mole mol
Luminous Intensity candela cd
 Measurement
• Uncertainty in Measurement
• A digit that must be estimated is
called uncertain. A measurement
always has some degree of
uncertainty.
• Accuracy refers to the agreement of
a particular value with the true value.
• Precision refers to the degree of
agreement among several elements
of the same quantity.
 Measurement
Types of Error
• Random Error (Indeterminate Error) -
measurement has an equal probability of
being high or low.
• Systematic Error (Determinate Error) -
Occurs in the same direction each time
(high or low), often resulting from poor
technique or instrument calibration
 Conversions
1. Given 1 mile = 1.609 km, convert
a) 2.3 mile  km
b) 8.75 km  miles

a)
1.609 km
2.3 miles x  3.7 km Pay attention to
1 mile sig figs
b) 1 mile
8.75 km x  5.44 miles
1.609 km
 Calculations
What is a light year?
It is the distance traveled by light in 1 year.
If light travels 3.0 x 108 m/s, what is 1 light year?
15
m s min hrs days m
3.0 x 108 x 6 0 x 60 x 24 x 365  9.5 x 10
s min hr day year year
 Calculations
• Density = mass / volume

• d=m/V

• The equation has 3 variables. Given any

two, you should be able to calculate the
third.
 Calculations
1. What is the density of a wooden block of
mass 5.45 g that occupies a volume of
6.5 cm3?
2. Mercury has a density of 13.6 g/mL.
Calculate the volume of 25 g of mercury.
 Calculations
1. What is the density of a wooden block of
mass 5.45 g that occupies a volume of
6.5 cm3?
0.84 g/cm3
2. Mercury has a density of 13.6 g/mL.
Calculate the volume of 25 g of mercury.
1.8 mL
 Temperature Scales
• Celsius scale = ºC
• Kelvin scale = K
• Fahrenheit scale = ºF
 Chemistry
How is matter classified?
Matter

Pure
Mixtures
Substances

Elements Compounds Homogeneous Heterogeneous

 Element
A Pure Substance that cannot be broken
down into simpler ones by chemical
means
Symbols- One or two letters; 1st letter in
upper case, 2nd letter in lower case;
7 elements exist as diatomic molecules- H2,
N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2 – Know them

No One Here Forgets Chemistry But Idiots

 Elements
• Elements may be solids, liquids, or gases.
• Gases: H, He, N, O, F, Cl, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe,
Rn

• Liquids: Br, Hg

• All of the other elements are solids

 Compound
A Pure Substance made up of 2 or more
elements in a fixed, characteristic
chemical combination
A Chemical Formula represents the
composition of a compound.
CO2, CO, SO2, H2O, etc.
 Mixtures
A Physical Combination of two or more pure
substances present in variable amounts
May be Homogeneous (Same Throughout)
or Heterogeneous (not uniform, shows
separation between substances)
Salt + water, Oil + water, Air
 Properties of Matter

Physical Properties- Physical characteristics

and behavior (physical state, color, odor,
hardness, etc.)

Chemical Properties- How it reacts with

other matter (reactivity, acidity, etc.)
 Changes Matter Undergoes

Physical Changes- Change of physical

state, form, etc.
No new substance is produced.

Chemical Changes- Change in composition

and structure;
New substance is produced.