Chemistry in Context

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the lecture on Chemistry in Context.

Chemistry

The study of the composition, structure, and behavior of matter.

Macroscopic Domain

Quantities of matter that are large enough to be observed by our human senses.

Microscopic Domain

Quantities of matter that we cannot observe without the aid of instruments such as microscopes.

Symbolic Domain

The language and symbols used in chemistry to represent matter.

Scientific Method

A process used by scientists to answer questions and explain observations through observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation of observations that must be testable.

Theory

A comprehensive, well-tested explanation of a particular aspect of the natural world.

Scientific Law

A statement that summarizes a vast number of observations and describes or predicts some aspect of the natural world.

Observation

A single instance of measurement or description about a particular specific thing.

Experimentation

A procedure undertaken to test hypotheses by manipulating variables and measuring the effects.