1.6: Exercises
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1.1: The Scope of Chemistry
- Identify each as either matter or not matter.
- a book
- hate
- light
- a car
- a fried egg
- Answer
-
- matter
- not matter
- not matter
- matter
- matter
-
Name an example of a field that is not considered a science.
- Which of the following fields of study are branches of science?
- biophysics (a mix of biology and physics)
- art
- business
- Answer
-
- yes
- no
- no
- Which of the following fields of study are branches of science?
- accounting
- geochemistry (a mix of geology and chemistry)
- astronomy (the study of stars and planets [but not the earth])
- Answer
-
- no
- yes
- yes
Additional Exercises
- Describe the scientific method.
- Answer
-
Simply stated, the scientific method includes three steps: (1) stating a hypothesis, (2) testing the hypothesis, and (3) refining the hypothesis.
- "A hypothesis is just a guess." Is this an adequate definition?
- Answer
-
No, it is not. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for something that can actually be tested. It is based on data that is available. A guess is not necessarily able to be tested.
- Why do scientists need to perform experiments?
- Answer
-
Scientists perform experiments to test their hypotheses because sometimes the nature of natural universe is not obvious.
- What is the scientific definition of a theory? How is this word misused in general conversation?
- Answer
-
A theory in science is an explanation of some aspect of the natural world that has been substantiated through repeated experiments or testing. In general conversation, a theory is an idea that has not been tested.
- What is the scientific definition of a law? How does it differ from the everyday definition of a law?
- Answer
-
A scientific law is a specific statement that is thought to be never violated by the entire natural universe. Everyday laws are arbitrary limits that society puts on its members.
This page is shared under a CK-12 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Vicki MacMurdo (Anoka-Ramsey Community College), Lance S. Lund (Anoka-Ramsey Community College), Melissa Alviar-Agnew, and Henry Agnew.