Chapter 1
An Introduction to Chemistry

Read this chapter to learn a bit about chemists and others who study chemistry. Like many of you, people who take chemistry in college don't usually go on to become chemists. They do, however, benefit from the skills, organization, logic, and problem solving methods developed during their study of chemistry.

Make sure you can define what chemistry is, and explain the differences between hypotheses, theories, and scientific laws. The current state of the world favors not only those who have mastered the basic concepts of science the scientific method but also those who can think about issues and problems from an interdisciplinary viewpoint, putting facts together to reach informed decisions and points of view.

Think about the stories mentioned in Section 1.6. Have you heard about the risks and benefits associated with each of these issues?

Chapter 1 Homework (due Monday, January 24th at 5:00 p.m.):

Write a short (one-page maximum) paper about one of the topics in the bulleted list in Section 1.6 of your textbook (page 8). Your paper should clearly address the following items:

  1. Discuss the risks and benefits of the issue.
  2. Cite at least one outside reference that you used to obtain the facts that you present.
  3. Give your opinion about the issue and back it up with the evidence (risks and benefits) that you have presented.

As with any assignment you submit, your work must be legible and neat. Don't forget to write your name on the page. Any paper greater than one page in total length will not be graded (you can resubmit it and face late penalties). This homework is worth 10 points.

Return to the CHEM 151 Syllabus or Schedule.

Go to the study guide for Chapter 2.

Return to the Chem 151 main home page.