Lesson 1.1 - Chemicals around Us

The science.connect1 textbook is an important resource throughout the course.  You will be asked to read certain pages, answer questions, use the CD, and perform investigations.  You will begin by familiarizing yourself with the textbook. 

Read the introductory page 4 in your science.connect1 textbook.   Then, answer the following questions.

Question 1. The person in the picture is applying a chemical to the grass.  Why is the chemical being applied to the grass?

Question 2. Why is knowing the characteristics of the chemicals you use important to you?

Question 3. What is the definition of " chemical "?  This question is interesting because the word chemical is used several times on page 4 and in this introduction. Do you know what it means?  Do you know where to find the definition?

Then, return here to continue this lesson.

 

Chemicals are all around you.  Most chemicals you use regularly are useful or necessary. 

For example, to live, you must drink the chemical called water and breathe the chemical called oxygen .

 

Some of the chemicals you use at home are useful but dangerous if not used properly.  Many cleaning chemicals in the home can be dangerous.  The fuels used in cars and to heat your home can be extremely dangerous.

Some substances that you use are made so that they do not react easily with other substances.  For example, you would not want the keyboard you are typing on to react with something and turn into a pile of ashes. 

Some substances you use are made so that they react with other substances.  The drain cleaner that you put in the drain is made to react with the material clogging the drain so that your drain works again.  The toothpaste that you brush your teeth with is made to react with the bacteria and stains on your teeth so your teeth will be less prone to decay.

The next investigation shows what happens when certain chemicals react. 

Read the " Starting Point ACTIVITY " on page 5 of your textbook.  Note that you will not actually perform the investigation, but you will be given the data collected when a student performed the investigation.  When you have finished reading the "Starting Point ACTIVITY" on page 5 of your textbook, return to this point.


Go to the next page to obtain the sample data that a student collected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 1. The person in the picture is applying a chemical to the grass.  Why is the chemical being applied to the grass?

By reading the paragraph in the picture, you can assume that the chemical is being applied to the grass to kill weeds.

Question 2. Why is knowing the characteristics of the chemicals you use important to you?

When you know the characteristics of the chemicals you use, you can use the chemicals safely.

Question 3. What is the definition of " chemical "?  This question is interesting because the word chemical is used several times on page 4 and in this short introduction. Do you know what it means?  Do you know where to find the definition?

"Chemical" and "Chemicals" are common words but often they are not defined. Even in your textbook glossary, you will not find a definition.  You could use your dictionary or encyclopedia to find a definition. This science course defines a chemical as any substance .  The terms matter and chemical are interchangeable.  Non-scientists might define chemical as something made by chemistry, but in this course all substances are chemicals.

 

 Click to return to where you left off in this lesson.