Chemistry, Society, Environment Ch. 1 Study Guide

Vocabulary and key concepts from the lecture notes covering the scientific method, peer review, scientific notation, metric units, and the differences between accuracy and precision.

Observation

Noticing something in nature that raises questions.

Question

Developing a specific question based on observations.

Hypothesis

Creating a testable prediction that addresses the question.

Experiment

Designing and conducting tests to evaluate the hypothesis.

Data Collection

Gathering measurements and observations from experiments.

Analysis

Interpreting data to determine if it supports the hypothesis.

Conclusion

Accepting, rejecting, or modifying the hypothesis based on results.

Communication

Sharing results with the scientific community.

Scientific Peer Review Process

A process where journal editors send research papers to other experts (peer reviewers) to evaluate methods, data analysis, and conclusions to ensure quality and validity before publication.

Scientific Notation

A mathematical format expressed as $a \times 10^b$, where $1 \times \text{a} < 10$ and $b$ is an integer.

Large values (Scientific Notation)

Numbers characterized by positive exponents in scientific notation, such as $10^1$ and larger.

Small values (Scientific Notation)

Numbers characterized by negative exponents in scientific notation, such as $10^{-1}$ and smaller.

Meter ($m$)

The metric base unit for measuring length.

Kilogram ($kg$)

The metric base unit for measuring mass.

Second ($s$)

The metric base unit for measuring time.

Kelvin ($K$)

The metric base unit for measuring temperature.

Mole ($mol$)

The metric base unit for measuring amount of substance.

nano- ($n$)

A metric prefix representing $10^{-9}$.

micro- ($\beta$)

A metric prefix representing $10^{-6}$.

milli- ($m$)

A metric prefix representing $10^{-3}$.

centi- ($c$)

A metric prefix representing $10^{-2}$.

deci- ($d$)

A metric prefix representing $10^{-1}$.

kilo- ($k$)

A metric prefix representing $10^3$.

mega- ($M$)

A metric prefix representing $10^6$.

giga- ($G$)

A metric prefix representing $10^9$.

Celsius to Fahrenheit Formula

$$^{\circ}F = (\frac{9}{5} \times ^{\circ}C) + 32$$

Fahrenheit to Celsius Formula

$$^{\circ}C = (^{\circ}F - 32) \times \frac{5}{9}$$

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the true or accepted value.

Precision

How close repeated measurements are to each other, relating to reproducibility and consistency.

Energy Units

Measurements of energy expressed in joules ($J$), calories ($cal$), or kilojoules ($kJ$).