Chemistry - Learn What Chemistry is All About
Chemistry is the scientific study of the composition
and changes of matter. Therefore, you need to understand a few things:
• what is science
• what is matter and
• how does matter change
Well, let's first discuss science. The term science actually refers
to any body of knowledge, but for our purposes we mean a systematic
study of natural phenomena. The science of Galileo, Boyle and Newton
is what we are talking about here. A science with a definite process
and method.
This process is called the scientific method. It is the scientific
method that distinguishes science from other disciplines. It was
developed by natural philosophers to prevent their biases and opinions
from becoming fact without direct proof. The scientific method requires
science to be
• observable
• measurable and
• repeatable.
Next let's take a look at matter. Matter is anything that takes
up space and has mass. It is the stuff the world is made of and
the task of the chemist is to determine its composition and how
it changes. The study of the atom deals with matter's composition
and the study of chemical reactions deals with its changes.
The atom is mostly space with a very small, dense nucleus containing
positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons with negatively
charged electrons in the atomic space. Although the atom is made
of many subatomic particles, it is the electron that is most interesting
to the chemist. Because electrons are the main players in chemical
bonding and chemical reactions.
Finally, you need to consider the changes that matter experiences.
Basically, there are two types of change:
• physical changes and
• chemical changes
Physical changes occur without any change in the substance, such
as tearing a piece of paper. But, chemical changes create a new
substance, such as burning a piece of of paper. Being able to recognize
these changes is a vital part to understanding chemistry.
If you will take the time to study the scientific method, the composition
of matter and how matter changes, you will have a clearer understanding
of chemistry. I invite you would like to know more about chemistry
go to Mr. Causey's World or http://yourCHEMcoach.com
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