Introduction to Chemistry

Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of matter. Chemists are interested in the study of the properties of matter, the reactions chemicals undergo and what makes up matter. Chemistry is a very wide field, ranging from physical chemistry, to inorganic chemistry to organic chemistry.

About chemistry
Physical chemistry is devoted to studying the rate of reaction, energy changes, catalysis and quantum chemistry (the study of atoms). Inorganic chemistry is the study of the periodic table, except for the compounds of carbon. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds.

About chemistry
Chemistry knowledge is advancing every day. Thousands of science researchers are studying chemicals and making of new materials. It is a fascinating field. The government is actively trying to promote research and development in the physical sciences and life sciences.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Measurements
In chemistry, we have to be precise in our scientific statements. It is not sufficient to say This compound is at a high temperature. It is too vague a statement. Scientists try to measure the properties of chemicals and quantify them. A scientist may say The Copper(II) Sulfate solution is at a temperature of 80oC.

Measurements
We can measure the temperature, volume, mass, pH, purity of a chemical. We can also measure the time for a reaction to be completed. Measurements are the foundation of physics and chemistry. Physics and chemistry are experimental sciences. A scientist needs to perform experiments to prove his hypothesis.

MEASUREMENT

OF

VOLUME

MEASUREMENT

OF

VOLUME

Measurement of Liquids/Solutions:
A measuring cylinder is used to measure the approximate volume of a liquid or solution.

A burette is used to measure and deliver accurately a variable volume of a liquid or solution e.g. 23.8 cm3.

A pipette is used to measure and deliver accurately a fixed volume of a liquid or solution e.g. 25.0 cm3.

measurements in chemistry experiments

volumes of liquids
measured with a marked beaker, measuring cylinder, pipette and burette have units of cubic centimetres (cm3) or decimetres (dm3)
approximate volume of 100 or 250 cm3 of liquid can be measured accurate volume to the nearest cm3 of liquid can be measured

beaker

measuring cylinder

The diagram shows two beakers which are of different volumes.

measurements in chemistry experiments

volumes of liquids

accurate set volume of exactly 20, 25 or 50 cm3 of liquid can be drawn to a mark, using a pipette filler

accurate volume from 0 to 50 cm3 can be measured by reading the differences of the levels before and after the liquid is released; commonly used in titrations

pipette

burette

MEASUREMENT

OF

VOLUME

Measurement of Gases:
A gas syringe is used to collect and measure the volume of a gas produced in a reaction.

MEASUREMENT

OF

VOLUME

Measurement of Gases:

COLLECTION OF GASES
Collection of Gases:
The method of collection of a gas depends on: 1. the solubility of the gas in water

2. the density of the gas compared to the density of air

COLLECTION OF GASES
Downward delivery of gas:
This is a suitable method for collecting gases which are denser than air.

Examples:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) Chlorine (Cl2)

COLLECTION OF GASES
Upward delivery of gas:
This is a suitable method for collecting gases which are less dense than air.

Examples:

Hydrogen (H2) Ammonia (NH3)

COLLECTION OF GASES
Displacement of water:
This is a suitable method for collecting gases which are insoluble in water.

Examples:

Hydrogen (H2) Oxygen (O2)

DRYING

OF

GASES
Drying of Gases:

A moist gas can be dried by passing it through a drying agent.

Examples of drying agents: Concentrated sulfuric acid Quicklime (Calcium oxide) Fused calcium chloride

DRYING

OF

GASES
Drying of Gases:

DRYING

OF

GASES
Drying of Gases:

measurements in chemistry experiments

masses of chemicals
Have units of g or kg

mass of the chemical can be read off the balance display

electronic top pan balance

measurements in chemistry experiments

temperature
measured with a thermometer; usual ones include mercury or alcohol thermometers. has unit of degrees Celsius (C). The unit used in USA is Fahrenheit (F). Singapore uses degress Celsius.
thermometer

temperature can be manually read on the graduated scale

measurements in chemistry experiments

time measured with a stopwatch; usual ones include analogue or digital has unit of seconds (s) and minutes (min)

measurements in chemistry experiments

Data logging can be used to measure and record many quantities that change over a period of time during an experiment such as:
the mass of a chemical left as it gets used up the volume of a gas produced in a reaction the change in pH as an acid is slowly neutralised by an alkali
sensor connector (interface)

software program loaded on computer

computer

printer

SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY

Hazard Symbols:

SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY

Hazard Symbols: