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
Many 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
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 |