CHEM 1100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Antoine Lavoisier, Joseph Proust, Systematic Chaos
26 Feb 2014
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Document Summary
1st step in scientific method is observation or measurement of some aspect of nature. A good theory often predicts behaviour far beyond the observations and laws from which it was formulated. A theory is valid if it is consistent with or predicts the outcomes of experiments. If an experiment is inconsistent with a theory, that theory must be revised, and a new set of experiments must be performed to test the revision. A theory is never proved but only validated by experimentation. The first people to wonder about molecular reasons. 600 b. c. people wondered about the reasons for the world and its behaviour. Ch. 1 molecular reasons: several greek philosophers believed that reason was the primary way to unravel the mysteries of nature, therefore they did not emphasize observation and experimentation. Thales believed the one basic material was water because it the element of things. Empedocles suggested matter was composed of air, water, fire and earth.
