Module 1 Intro

Module 1—Chemical Foundations

Explore

 

People often use the terms science and technology interchangeably. Although these terms are related, they have different meanings.

 

Science involves the study of natural products and processes with the purpose of describing, explaining, and predicting natural events. Science is theoretical knowledge, emphasizing ideas and conducting research.

Look at “Figure 1” from page 8 of the textbook. Is the process of problem solving in science linear, as depicted in the diagram, or does it proceed in another manner? Can you think of an example to support your opinion? You may wish to discuss this with your teacher.

 

Technology, on the other hand, focuses on the skills, processes, and equipment involved with manufacturing products and performing tasks. Technology is driven by cost, reliability, efficiency, and productivity. It focuses on practical applications and often utilizes a trial-and-error approach to find the best materials and methods.

 

There are many cases where technology precedes science. The battery is a good example. Alessandro Volta is credited with inventing the battery in 1800, but scientists didn’t understand the chemical reaction within the battery for another hundred years. In the case of Volta's battery, a new technology revealed the need for new science. In other situations, a new technology can enhance the existing science. The development of computer technology in the twentieth century has given scientists the means to explore scientific phenomena with great depth and speed.

 

Read

 

In your Nelson Chemistry textbook, read the following:

• “What Is Chemistry?” (page 9)

• “Classifying Knowledge” (pages 9 and 10)

• “Communicating Empirical Knowledge in Science” (pages 10 and 11)

This course is more than the study of theoretical knowledge and empirical knowledge about the natural world. A key component throughout this course will be making connections between science, technology, and societal issues as you learn about chemistry. There are many different perspectives that can be adopted when analyzing an STS connection: economical, ethical, ecological, political, scientific, societal, and technological. Read page 45 in your textbook to see a description of these perspectives.

 

Self-Check

Complete this exercise.

 

 

Discuss

 

Pick at least one of the topics given, and post your thoughts to the discussion area for your class.

 

Topic 1: Scientists are often characterized as being curious. What other characteristics, attitudes, or values do you think scientists require in order to be successful?

 

Topic 2: Aluminium is used extensively to make beverage cans. List some benefits and risks of this practice. Are there any alternatives that might have equal or better benefits and fewer risks?1

 

Topic 3: People often call society technological because lifestyles depend so heavily on human-made things. Can the lifestyle of Canada’s original First Peoples (before 1500 CE) be considered non-technological? Explain your answer by giving examples.2

 

Read the postings from two other students who chose the same topic as you. Can you identify any different points that appear in their postings? Do the new points demonstrate that these students considered a different perspective while addressing the same topic as you? Can you identify which perspectives were used?

 

You may wish to record your answers to these questions on a copy of your posting. Place these answers in your Chemistry 20 course folder.

 

1 Dr. Frank Jenkins, Jans van Kessel, Dick Tompkins and Dr. Oliver Lantz, Nelson Chemistry Alberta 20-30 (Toronto: Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited, 2007), p. 45. Reproduced by permission.

 

2 Dr. Frank Jenkins, Jans van Kessel, Dick Tompkins and Dr. Oliver Lantz, Nelson Chemistry Alberta 20-30 (Toronto: Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited, 2007), p. 277. Reproduced by permission.

 

Chemistry 20 © 2008 Alberta Education