Review of Scientific Method and Chemistry Basics

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to the scientific method and basic chemistry, including definitions, properties, and relationships.

What is the scientific method?

A method of questioning and finding natural explanations for natural phenomena, which must be observable, measurable, and done with reason.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable proposed explanation based on available data; essentially an educated guess.

What is a prediction in scientific terms?

An 'If/then' statement that describes the expected outcome when testing a hypothesis.

What distinguishes a theory from a law in science?

A theory is a broad, explanatory idea with substantial support that allows new hypotheses; a law is a statement of what will always happen under certain circumstances without explaining why.

What are electrons and what charge do they have?

Electrons (e-) are subatomic particles with a -1 charge that revolve rapidly around the nucleus.

What is potential energy in the context of chemistry?

Potential energy is energy that something has due to its location or structure, capable of doing work.

How do electrons relate to potential energy?

Electrons are located in distinct shells; those further from the nucleus have higher potential energy.

What are valence electrons?

Electrons that occupy the outermost shell, with a number that varies (up to 2 for H and He, and up to 8 for others).

What is a molecule?

A compound of 2 or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Why are emergent properties of compounds important?

Emergent properties mean that the characteristics of compounds can differ significantly from those of their constituent elements.

What is electronegativity?

A measure of an atom's affinity for electrons, indicating how strongly an atom attracts electrons.

What distinguishes covalent bonds from ionic bonds?

Covalent bonds result in shared electrons to achieve full valence shells, whereas ionic bonds form due to the transfer of electrons, resulting in charged ions.

What are hydrogen bonds?

A type of Van der Waals interaction where partial charges result when hydrogen binds to electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen.

What role do hydrogen bonds play in the properties of water?

Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, and its behavior in dissolving substances.

Why do nonpolar substances not dissolve in water?

Because they do not interact well with water's polar nature and therefore are hydrophobic.