Chemistry scientific method

For more discussion of the application of the scientific method to chemistry see... 

It can be said that science is the art of budding models to explain observations and predict new ones. Chemistry, as the central science, utilizes models ia virtually every aspect of the discipline. From the first week of a first chemistry course, students use the scientific method to develop models which explain the behavior of the elements. Anyone who studies or uses chemistry has, ia fact, practiced some form of molecular modeling. 

Summary This chapter on basic chemical principles should serve as a review if you have had a pre-AP chemistry course in school. We assume (and we all know about assumptions) that you know about such things as the scientific method, elements, compounds, and mixtures. We may mention elementary chemistry topics like this, but we will not spend a lot of time discussing them. When you are using this book, have your textbook handy. If we mention a topic and it doesn t sound familiar, go to your textbook and review it in depth. We will be covering topics that are on the AP exam. There is a lot of good information in your text that is not covered on the AP exam, so if you want more, read your text. 

Abstract. In this paper, we advocate the use of literate programming techniques in molecular physics and quantum chemistry. With a suitable choice of publication medium, literate programming allows both a theory and corresponding computer code to be placed in the public domain and subject to the usual open criticism and constructive use which form an essential ingredient of the scientific method. 

Thus literate programming appears ideally suited to the task of publication in computational molecular physics and quantum chemistry, and indeed, in other computational sciences and in engineering. This task must entail placing both the theoretical model and the associated computer code in the public domain, where they can be subjected to the open criticism and constructive use which forms an integral part of the scientific method. 

S. Borman (2000). Combinatorial chemistry redefining the scientific method for drug discovery. Chem. Eng. News 78 53-66. 

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). 1987a. Method 2.501. Determination of the peroxide value (P.V.). In Standard Methods for the Analysis of Oils, Fats and Derivatives, 7th ed. (C. Paquot and A. Hautfenne, eds.) pp. 199-200. Blackwell Scientific, Palo Alto, Calif. 

Equally important to advances in chemistry, the field of biology also developed rapidly during the period of the Renaissance. More sophisticated biological techniques and an evolving scientific method allowed for improved observation and documentation of a drug s effects. 

Moser, W. R., ed. (1996). Advanced Catalysts and Nanostructured Materials Modern Scientific Methods, Academic Press, San Diego. Pines, H. (1981). The Chemistry of Catalytic Hydrocarbon Conversions, Academic Press, New York. 

Robert Boyle was educated in alchemy in the mid-1600s, but he published a book called The Skeptical Chemist that attacked alchemy and advocated using the scientific method. He is sometimes called the founder of modern chemistry because of his emphasis on proving a theory before accepting it, but the birth of modern chemistry is usually attributed to Lavoisier. Boyle rejected the 4 classical elements and proposed the modern definition of an element. Boyle s law states that gas volume is proportional to the reciprocal of pressure. 

This chapter presents a review of the progress relating flammability measurements and properties deduced from microscale experiments of milligram size samples with measurements obtained from mesoscale experiments of sample size about 100 g. We present a comprehensive and integrated approach based on sound scientific method, yet practical for assessing the flammability of nanocomposite polymers in the early stage of their formulations where only milligram order quantities are available. Our approach does not extend to quantum chemistry or molecular dynamics to... 

V. K. Matveev, Numerical Methods in Chemistry Scientific Course Based on Microcomputers and FORTRAN, Pt. 1, MGU, Moscow, 1985. 

Important alterations to the global distribution of stratospheric ozone are currently predicted by the best available models which synthesize the chemistry, radiation and dynamics of the middle atmosphere. While these predictions have fluctuated significantly since the first crude estimates were offered in the mid-1970s [31, progress in many fields has brought a growing realization that the stratosphere may well be the first natural system to submit to the scientific method. 

Reactive scattering and quantum dynamics (RSQD) methods are important to both scientific and technological development endeavors. Because the behavior of chemical species (molecule—molecule, atom-molecule, electron scattering, etc.) is rigorously described by quantum mechanics, which is built into the RSQD theoretical methods, accurate and converged solutions are achievable. Pursuant to a central goal of theoretical chemistry, these methods determine the cross sections and rates of chemical reactions. There are three basic methods ... 

This general description is equally applicable to a variety of sciences or areas that could become sciences, whether we called such areas biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, understanding of mystical states, or drug-induced enhancement of cognitive processes. The particulars of research look different, but the basic scientific method is the same. 

Not all discoveries and findings are the results of a carefully worked-out plan based on the scientific method. In fact, some important discoveries and developments have been made simply by accident. An example in chemistry is the discovery of a compound commonly known as Teflon You are probably familiar with Teflon as the nonstick coating used on pots and pans, but it has many more applications. 

A scientific method is a systematic approach used in scientific study, whether it is chemistry, biology, physics, or other sciences. It is an organized process used by scientists to do research, and it provides a method for scientists to verify the work of others. An overview of the typical steps of a scientific method is shown in Figure 1-9. The steps are not used as a checklist to be done in the same order each time. Therefore, all scientists must describe their methods when they publish their results. If other scientists cannot confirm the results after repeating the method, then doubt arises over the validity of the reported results. 

During your chemistry course, you will have opportunities to use scientific methods to perform investigations and solve problems. 

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