BC Chemistry 11 - Chapter 1

a method of investigation involving observation and theory to test scientific hypotheses

pioneered the use of the scientific method; "first true scientist"

1. Observations

2. Hypothesis

3. Testing (experimentation)

4. Statement of a theory Steps 1-3 are a repeating cycle.

noticing a change or occurrence; collecting data

making an educated guess to explain why the observation occurred; stated in the format, "if _____, then ______"

create an experiment to test your hypothesis (either prove or disprove); results tell you if the hypothesis needs adjusting and can restart the cycle of observation, hypothesis, testing.

after collecting enough data from a series of explanations, a coherent set of explanations (theory) may be deduced

general statement of fact; a "what," not a why

explains the "why"; supported by coherent explanations

method of representing numbers in exponential form

first portion of a value expressed in scientific notation; number between 1 and 10; "decimal portion"

second portion of a value expressed in scientific notation; base 10 raised to some power; "exponential portion"

y = Kx

y = K/x

y = Kx^n

International System of Units; modern metric system

metre (m)

kilogram (kg)

seconds (s)

ampere (A)

kelvin (K)

candela (cd)

mole (mol)

square metre (m^2)

litre (L)

the agreement of a particular value with its true value

exactness of a measurement

a group of errors that consistently appears in the same direction

a group of errors that appear in different directions

an acceptable range of values within which the true value of a measurement falls; commonly presented using plus or minus notation

exactly how much higher or lower a measured value is than an accepted value

(measured value - accepted value) / accepted value x 100%

all of the certain figures plus the first uncertain (estimated) figure

a method that allows you to easily solve problems by converting one unit to another through use of conversion factors

fraction or factor written so that the denominator and numerator are equivalent values with different units

accepted values that do not affect the number of sig figs in an answer

G; 10^9

M; 10^6

k; 10^3

h; 10^2

da; 10^1

d; 10^-1

c; 10^-2

m; 10^-3

μ; 10^-6

n; 10^-9

unit composed of more than one unit; example: km/h