Essential Ideas in Chemistry

Resources on these topics pages are here to assist you in your mastery of course content. None of the work, etc, on these pages are 'required,' so to speak. It is provided for you to use as fits into your overall approach to studying for this course. 

• General and detailed objectives give you an idea of how you will be assessed over each objective and can serve as a 'study guide' of sorts

• Slides are the raw material from which I build my in-class lectures. Annotated slides will be provided after lectures on the course schedule.

• When available, Reading Guides are provided to assist you in taking and organizing notes as you read the textbook. 

• Any supplemental videos provided are produced by myself other chemistry education professionals.

• Any additional practice provided contains answer keys, so that you may check your work.

Essential Ideas in Chemistry Objectives

1. Understand the Scientific Method (hypotheses, theories, laws)

2. Describe the states of matter and categorize matter based upon it's composition

3. Identify physical and chemical properties and changes

Objective 1. Understand the Scientific Method (hypotheses, theories, laws) 

• • Read Section 1.1 - Chemistry in Context

Upon successful completion of this objective, you should be able to:

• • Outline the historical development of chemistry

  • Provide examples of the importance of chemistry in everyday life

  • Describe the scientific method

  • Differentiate among hypotheses, theories, and laws

  • Provide examples illustrating macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic domains

Objective 2.  Describe the states of matter and categorize matter based upon it's composition 

• • Read Section 1.2 - Phases and Classification of Matter

Upon successful completion of this objective, you should be able to:

• • Describe the basic properties of each physical state of matter: solid, liquid, and gas

  • Distinguish between mass and weight

  • Apply the law of conservation of matter

  • Classify matter as an element, compound, homogeneous mixture, or heterogeneous mixture with regard to its physical state and composition

  • Define and give examples of atoms and molecules

Objective 3. Identify physical and chemical properties and changes 

• • Read Section 1.3 - Physical and Chemical Properties

Upon successful completion of this objective, you should be able to:

• • Identify properties of and changes in matter as physical or chemical

  • Identify properties of matter as extensive or intensive