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2 Chemistry: Matter and Change
Solving Problems: A Chemistry Handbook
SOLVING PROBLEMS:
A CHEMISTRY HANDBOOK
CHAPTER
1
Matter is made up of particles, called atoms, that are so small
they cannot be seen with an ordinary light microscope. The structure, composition, and behavior of all matter can be explained by
atoms and the changes they undergo.
Because there are so many types of matter, there are many areas
of study in the field of chemistry. Chemistry is usually divided into
five branches, as summarized in the table below.
1.3 Scientific Methods
A scientific method is a systematic approach used to answer a question or study a situation. It is both an organized way for scientists to
do research and a way for scientists to verify the work of other scientists. A typical scientific method includes making observations,
forming a hypothesis, performing an experiment, and arriving at a
conclusion.
Scientific study usually begins with observations. Often, a scientist will begin with qualitative data—information that describes
color, odor, shape, or some other physical characteristic that relates to
the five senses. Chemists also use quantitative data. This type of
data is numerical. It tells how much, how little, how big, or how fast.
Branches of Chemistry
Branch
Area of emphasis
Examples
Organic
most carbon-containing
pharmaceuticals,
chemistry
chemicals
plastics
Inorganic
in general, matter that
minerals, metals and
chemistry
does not contain carbon
nonmetals, semiconductors
Physical
the behavior and changes
reaction rates,
chemistry
of matter and the related
reaction mechanisms
energy changes
Analytical
components and
food nutrients,
chemistry
composition of substances
quality control
Biochemistry
matter and processes
metabolism,
of living organisms
fermentation