CHEMISTRY WHAT IS CHEMISTRY ABOUT Chemistry is the
CHEMISTRY
WHAT IS CHEMISTRY ABOUT? Chemistry is the study of the composition and properties of matter. Chemistry was born in ancient times as a pseudoscientific subject. Today, one important division of chemistry, makes a distinction between organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Organic chemistry is the study of the compounds of carbon, while inorganic chemistry is the study of chemical elements and of their compounds.
THE EXPERIMENTAL METHOD The experimental, or scientific, method is fundamental for the study and the progress of science. The experimental method can be described as a series of cycles, and each cycle is divided into seven step. The first step consists in making objective observations. In the second step scientists develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is formed using inductive reasoning (deriving a generalization from specific details).
In the third step scientist make a prediction using deductive reasoning ; based on this prediction, in the fourth step experiments are designed and, in the fifth step, the results that have been obtained are analyzed. With the sixth step scientists deal with the two possible outcomes; the results may or may not agree with the prediction. If the results disagree with the prediction, the hypothesis must be rejected and a new hypothesis must be formulated. If the results agree with the prediction, scientists can accept the hypothesis as true. Scientists divulge their findings by means of scientific journals and books. This seventh step is essential because it allows other people to verify the results or apply the new knowledge to solve other problems.
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