Module 1: Chemistry: Its Role & Importance

OUTLINE

A. Presentation of the Lesson

1. Chemistry & its Brief Background
2. Science and Scientific Method

OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, you should be able to answer the following
questions:
1.Define chemistry and other basic terms such as science, theory,
law, etc.
2 Follow the steps in the scientific method.
3.Enumerate and differentiate the branches of Chemistry.
4.Justify the importance of chemistry as a branch of science and its
relation to the different areas of specialization.
5.Propose scientific means of solving common problems in the
locality

OVERVIEW

Why study Chemistry?

Chemistry is useful in all areas of life. You need chemistry to know how
your cooking gas is been produced and even the name. You still need it
to know the chemical process that is occurring in your cooking and even
in your environment. Chemistry is essential to life.

Because it is so fundamental to our world, chemistry plays a role in

everyone's lives and touches almost every aspect of our existence in
some way. Chemistry is essential for meeting our basic needs of food,
clothing, shelter, health, energy, and clean air, water, and soil

Perhaps the answer is to satisfy ones curiosity recognizing the fact that
science seeks to understand the natural world. Students may say that it
is a requirement of a degree leading to nursing, biology, engineering and
other related fields. Thus, Chemistry is said to be essential for all
sciences.
 Chemistry is used when we cook, take photographs, clean our homes,
and dye our hair. Knowledge of chemistry is helpful for nurses, doctors,
food scientists, pharmacists, dieticians, firefighters, biologists, forensic
specialists in police departments, and many other occupations.

Chemists work on a wide variety of problems such as development of

new machines, fragrances, and even cement mixing for construction
jobs. Research chemists are constantly finding new materials to improve
out quality of life.

LESSON PROPER

Lesson 1
Chemistry & Its Brief Background

Why Chemistry Is Important

Chemistry is important in everyday life because:

Everything is made of chemicals. You are made of chemicals. So is your dog. So is
your desk. So is the sun. Drugs are chemicals. Food is made from chemicals.
Many of the changes you observe in the world around you are caused by chemical
reactions. Examples include leaves changing colors, cooking food and getting yourself
clean.
10 Reasons Why Chemistry Is Important

#1. Chemistry helps explain everything

Everything you hear, see, smell, taste, and touch involves chemistry.” Chemistry helps
explain things .Everything that has matter breaks down into chemical building blocks.
#2. Being interested in chemistry opens up career options
The skills learned through studying the subject apply to fields like the food industry,
publishing, education, and more.

#3. Chemistry helps people develop strong analytical skills

Chemistry involves specific skills. Students of chemistry learn to pay close attention to
detail, solve problems, analyze data, and communicate verbally and in writing. These
are skills easily transferred to other fields beyond the realm of science.

#4. Understanding chemistry keeps people safe

Safety is one of the most practical applications of chemistry. Knowing what happens
when you mix certain substances (like household chemicals) and knowing what’s in
your food can protect you and your family from illness. Advancements in chemistry
have also led to better
anitation and hygiene technologies.

#5. Chemistry helps protect the environment

Environmental chemists play a key role in protecting the environment, water, and soil
cleaner and healthier. Chemistry is also important in the development of green
technologies and sustainable fuel.

#6. Chemistry is used in law

Chemistry is involved in the legal field in a few ways. Chemists can work in intellectual
property, examining copyright issues and filing for approval from regulating agencies.
7. Chemistry is used in the food industry
Cooking and food production are chemical reactions, so it makes sense that chemistry
would apply to this field. Food chemists work on improving food safety, which is a
matter of life and death.

#8. Chemistry is important in agriculture

Organic chemistry is essential for developing methods for food production and farming.
That includes studying soil fertility and water and air quality as it affects the growth of
crops. Chemists also study pests, weeds, and fungi and develop ways to control them.
Chemists play a big role in creating and testing herbicides, fertilizers, and insecticides.

#9. Chemistry is used in medicine

Chemistry is vital to the creation and testing of medications. Without chemistry, we
would have no drugs.

#10. Chemistry is important for space travel

Traveling in space is a very complex endeavor. That includes developing mechanics
that can propel ships far enough, fuel that’s sustainable and effective, and new ways of
food storage. Chemistry was vital to getting space travel to where it is today, so it’s just
as important for future projects.

Knowing some chemistry can help you make day-to-day decisions that affect your life.
Can I mix these household chemicals? What are safe mosquito repellents? Will my
bottled water expire? Can I mix types of motor oils for my vehicle?
Understanding basic chemistry is essential for understanding the effects of chemicals
on the environment. This information can be used to give plants the best nutrients to
help them grow or to decide how to dispose of chemicals without poisoning the air or
water supply.

Chemistry concepts are important in other disciplines. It's key to cooking, biology,
physics, and astronomy.

Chemistry is fun! It can be used to make colors change, alter recipes, color flames,
make things glow in the dark, or even make stuff explode. Many people study chemistry
not because it's a requirement for a class but because they are interested in using it to
explore the world and to try science projects. As hobbies go, chemistry is inexpensive
because home chemicals can be used to perform many interesting experiments.

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure and properties of matter and the
changes that they undergo. Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties,
composition, and structure and the changes it undergoes.
Since chemistry is such a broad field of study, below are the main divisions of
chemistry.

 It is central to our fundamental understanding of many

science-related fields
 Organic Chemistry: the study of substances containing carbon and hydrogen,
and their derivatives.
 Inorganic Chemistry: the study of all substances not classified as organic.
 Analytical chemistry: the identification of substances and the quantitative and
qualitative determination of the composition of materials.
 Physical Chemistry: the study of the properties, transformations, and
interrelationships of energy and matter.
 Biochemistry: the study of all substances and processes that occur in living
things.

Science and Scientific Method

Science is a methodical approach to the acquisition of knowledge. The chemist, as well
as other scientists, uses the scientific method to build a supportable, evidence-based
understanding of our world. The method of science is a pathway that involves several
steps:

1. Observation. A good scientist is observant and notices things in the world around
him. He sees, hears, or in some other way notices what’s going on in the world and
becomes curious about what’s happening.
2. Formulation of a question. The question raised must have a “simple,” concrete
answer that can be obtained by performing an experiment.
3. Formulation of a hypothesis. Hypothesis is a tentative answer to the question: a
testable explanation for what was observed. The scientist tries to explain what
caused what was observed.
4. Experimentation. Perform experiments or further observations and modify the
hypothesis in the light of your results.
5. Developing theories. When consistency is obtained the hypothesis becomes a
theory. A theory is a generalization based on many observations and experiments;
a well-tested, verified hypothesis that fits existing data and explains how processes
or events are thought to occur. It is a basis for predicting future events or
discoveries. Theories may be modified as new information is gained.
6. Summarizing information. Many phenomena have common causes and
explanations. A scientific law summarizes and clarifies large amounts of
information.
Information taken are recorded in the form of data. Using these data you can calculate
results which are then presented in the form of tables and graphs. These results show
trend which are then used to draw conclusions about the hypothesis originally made.

Predictions from scientific theories can be reproducibly tested by experiment. These

are used as bases for developing new technology. Technology is the conversion of a
material from its current form to a more useful form. Technology is applied science: the
use of scientific principles to fulfill human needs.

Exercise No. 1
 Introduction to chemistry
score
Name: Date:
________________________________________ _____________
Instructor: Section:
______________________________________ _____________

1. Define or explain

a. Science

b. Chemistry

c. Scientific method

d. Hypothesis

e. Theory

f. Scientific law

g. Organic chemistry

h. Inorganic chemistry

i. Analytical chemistry

j. Physical chemistry

k. Biochemistry

2. Cite the differences between

 a. Hypothesis and theory

b. Science and technology

c. Theory and law

d. Inorganic and organic chemistry

e. Qualitative and quantitative chemistry

3. Answer the following briefly

a. What is the importance of chemistry in our daily life?

b. What has chemistry ever done for you?

c. What is the relationship between chemistry and life?

d. List down the importance of chemistry as a branch of science and its relation
to the different areas of specialization
READINGS AND REFERENCES

OUTLINE
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Baguio, Saranay and Buturan, Rose Mary. Breaking Through

Chemistry. Manila: C & E Publishing Inc. 2006.

Brown, Theodore; Leemay, Eugene; Bursten, Bruce. Chemistry the

central Science, 9th edition. Singapore: Pearson Education Pte. Ltd.

Chang, Raymond and Lovett, Chip. Understanding Chemistry. New

York: McGrawHill. 2005.

Fogiel, M. Chemistry Super Review. New Jersey: Research and

Education Association. 2005.

Loyola Student Center and Berea Arts and Sciences High School.
Essential Sciences for University Bound Students. Quezon City:
ECC Graphics Printing Services. 2006.

Redmore, Fred H. Fundamentals of Chemistry. New Jersey: Prentice

Hall Inc. 1979.

Sackheim, George and Lehman, Dennis. Chemistry for the Health

Sciences. Singapore: Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002.

Simon and Schuster. SAT Chemistry, 2006-2007 Edition. New York:

Kaplan 2006.

Tabinas, Camilo A. Naming and Writing Simple Inorganic Chemical

Formulas (Text and Module with Worksheets). Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc. 2006.

PNU Physical Science Reviewer

http://www.chemistry24.com/college_chemistry/college-chemistry.html