Understanding Scientific Method and Key Concepts in Chemistry

Scientific Method

A structured process used for scientific inquiry involving observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion.

Observation

The first step of the scientific method where careful observations about phenomena are made.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation proposed after observations that can be tested.

Experimentation

The process of conducting experiments to test the hypothesis under controlled conditions.

Conclusion

The result of the experimental data, determining whether the hypothesis is supported or rejected.

Matter

Any substance that has mass and occupies space; everything around us is made of matter.

Atoms

The smallest unit of matter that retains all chemical properties of an element.

Scientific Notation

A method of expressing very large or very small numbers as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10.

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the true value.

Precision

How close repeated measurements are to each other.

Conversion Factors

Used to switch from one unit of measurement to another.

Density (D)

Mass (m) divided by volume (v), used to calculate the concentration of a substance.

Measurement Units

Standard units for measuring quantities, including length (meter, cm), mass (gram, kg), volume (liter, mL), and temperature (Celsius, Fahrenheit).