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1: Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement

Last updated

Jan 22, 2025
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- 1.0: Prelude to Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement

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The study of chemistry will open your eyes to a fascinating world. Chemical processes are continuously at work all around us. They happen as you cook and eat food, strike a match, shampoo your hair, and even read this page. Chemistry is called the central science because a knowledge of chemical principles is essential for other sciences. You might be surprised at the extent to which chemistry pervades your life.

1.0: Prelude to Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement
Quantities and measurements are as important in our everyday lives as they are in medicine. The posted speed limits on roads and highways, such as 55 miles per hour (mph), are quantities we might encounter all the time. Both parts of a quantity, the amount (55) and the unit (mph), must be properly communicated to prevent potential problems. In chemistry, as in any technical endeavor, the proper expression of quantities is a necessary fundamental skill.
1.1: What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter—what it consists of, what its properties are, and how it changes. Being able to describe the ingredients in a cake and how they change when the cake is baked is called chemistry. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space—that is, anything that is physically real.
1.2: The Classification of Matter
Matter can be described with both physical properties and chemical properties. Matter can be identified as an element, a compound, or a mixture.
1.3: Measurements
Chemists measure the properties of matter and express these measurements as quantities. A quantity is an amount of something and consists of a number and a unit. The number tells us how many (or how much), and the unit tells us what the scale of measurement is. For example, when a distance is reported as “5 kilometers,” we know that the quantity has been expressed in units of kilometers and that the number of kilometers is 5.
1.4: The International System of Units
Recognize the SI base units. Combining prefixes with base units creates new units of larger or smaller sizes.
1.5: Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision
Quantities can be exact or measured. Measured quantities have an associated uncertainty that is represented by the number of significant figures in the measurement. The uncertainty of a calculated value depends on the uncertainties in the values used in the calculation and is reflected in how the value is rounded. Measured values can be accurate (close to the true value) and/or precise (showing little variation when measured repeatedly).
1.6: Expressing Numbers - Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is a system for expressing very large or very small numbers in a compact manner. It uses the idea that such numbers can be rewritten as a simple number multiplied by 10 raised to a certain exponent, or power. Scientific notation expressed numbers using powers of 10.
1.7: Converting Units
The ability to convert from one unit to another is an important skill. A unit can be converted to another unit of the same type with a conversion factor.
1.8: Dosage Calculations
Conversion factors are important in calculating dosages.
1.E: Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement (Exercises)
These are homework exercises to accompany Chapter 1 of the Ball et al. "The Basics of GOB Chemistry" Textmap.
1.S: Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement (Summary)
To ensure that you understand the material in this chapter, you should review the meanings of the bold terms in the following summary and ask yourself how they relate to the topics in the chapter.

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Thumbnail: Two small test tubes held in spring clamps. (CC BY-SA 3.0; mitchell125).

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