Chemistry Chapter 1 - Foundations in Chemistry

Chemistry

the study of matter and the changes it undergoes

Matter

anything that takes up space and has mass

Worldview

the perspective from which you see and interpret all life

Model

simplifies something in the world to explain, describe, or represent it

What is science not about?

establishing what is true

What is science about?

producing workable models

Models are…

workable; have predictive power to help us see what could happen in the future

Ancient Chemistry

five generations after Cain, people were working with metals; Egyptians used and understood medicines made by apothecaries; involved a lot of trial and error

The Philosophers

applied reason to think about the nature of matter; matter was made of atoms

The Alchemists

blended astrology and mysticism with observation and experimentation; searched for immortality through medicines, tried to change common metals to gold, and experimented to discover the nature of elements

Classical Chemistry

widespread acceptance of a new method of scientific inquiry led to rapid developments in chemistry; by 1800, Chemistry was an accepted academic discipline; branches of chemistry developed; Benjamin Rush was the first professor of chemistry in the US, provided Lewis and Clark with medicines

Modern Chemistry

we do chemistry for the same reasons, but use different models (atoms, elements, academic discipline, practicality)

Biblical Worldview

creation, fall, redemption

Creation Mandate

(Genesis 1) allows people to create products, solve problems, weigh the consequences of their actions, and seek a balance - we are made in God’s image, and we have dominion over the whole earth

Loving Your Neighbor

Mark 12:31 - human flourishing

Presuppositions

assumptions about the world that form the basis of your worldview; all scientists approach their work with these assumptions

Naturalism

a worldview that is based on the belief that matter is all that exists

How do naturalists view human reasoning?

Human reasoning informed by science is the only reliable path to truth

Naturalistic Worldview of Creation

the theory of evolution can explain the universe and everything in it

Naturalistic Worldview of God

there is no creator, so humans are not accountable to God

Naturalistic Worldview of Morality

there is no absolute code of morality

Naturalistic Worldview on Good

love, happiness, justice, peace, and life are nothing more than chemical reactions

When science contradicts the Bible, it is not…contradicting the Bible

nature

It is a scientists…affected by his…that contradicts the Bible

model;worldview

Why can the Bible and nature not contradict one another?

They have the same divine source

Biblical Principles

What does God’s Word say?

God’s image bearers

Creation Mandate

God’s whole truth

Biblical Outcomes

What results are right?

Human prospering

A thriving Creation

Glorifying God

Biblical Motivations

How can I grow through this decision?

Faith in God

Hope in God’s promises

Love for God and others

Observation and Reasoning

answering a scientific question begins with an observation

we collect data and information by using our senses and scientific tools

Quantitative Data

data in the form of numbers determined through measuring

Qualitative Data

data in the form of words

Deductive Reasoning

proceeds from general statements called premises to a specific conclusion

Inductive Reasoning

proceeds from known data to an unknown general conclusion

Steps of Scientific Inquiry

1). Make an observation 2). Ask a question 3). conduct research 4). make a hypothesis 5). collect data/run experiment 6). analyze data/evaluate hypothesis 7). come to a conclusion 8). share results

Hypothesis

a scientific problem or suggested explanation

What makes a good hypothesis?

Simple, reasonable, testable

What should you do if the data refutes the hypothesis?

You can modify or discard it and make a new one

Experiment

a way to observe a natural process

Variables

different factors that change

Independent Variable

what you are changing

Dependent Variable

what you are measuring

Experimental group

group undergoing change

Control group

group that stays the same

Survey

scientific surveys randomly select representative samples from a larger population

Theory

a scientific model that explains a phenomenon (a proposition)

Law

a scientific model that describes a phenomenon, often in mathematical terms

Applied Science

explores natural products and processes for specific applications

Pure Science

probes nature to learn new things about the universe we live in