Introductory Module: Fundamentals of Science

Think about your life up until now. Like other people, you were born, you were a toddler, then a child, and now you are a teenager. In every stage of your life, you learned bits of information and new pieces of knowledge that helped prepare you for the next step. Your study of chemistry will follow the same pattern.

In this module, you will explore concepts that will help prepare you for your study of chemistry. You will begin by examining the basics of the scientific method and the units of measurement used by scientists around the world. Then, you will study how chemists and other scientists convey these measurements to ensure accuracy and communicate data professionally. Finally, you will learn about different laboratory equipment and safety procedures that will assist you in chemistry scientific investigations. All of these concepts will provide you with your chemistry foundation.

Getting Started

digital repository iconMany people think that the study of chemistry evolved in high-tech labs with expensive equipment, but chemistry has been around for millions of years. Before you begin this module, view the video 2 Million B.C. to 1661 - Ancient Chemistry from eMediaVA℠. As you study the modern methodologies of scientists in this module, you may just marvel at how far chemistry has come throughout human history.

Key Vocabulary

Glossary icon
To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.

accuracy graduated cylinder qualitative data
bar graph gram (g) quantitative data
beaker hypothesis ring stand
certain digits independent variable safety shower
chemical hood International System of Units (SI) scientific notation
clay triangle Kelvin (K) second (s)
conclusion line graph significant figures
constants line of regression test tube
control liter (L) test tube holder
crucible Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) test tube rack
cubic centimeter (cm3) mean title
data analysis meter (m) uncertain digits
dependent variable pie graph wash bottle
Erlenmeyer flask pipette watch glass
experiment precision wire gauze
eyewash station problem or question x-axis
fire blanket procedure y-axis
gas burner