SuperSimple Chemistry: The Ultimate Bitesize Study Guide

Book Preface

How Science Works
Scientists want to explain how and why things happen using facts—such as what happens when two elements react together, or when atoms bond. They do this by thinking logically in a step-by-step process called the scientific method. This method is used in all fields of science, including chemistry, biology, and physics.

Scientific Issues
Science can improve our lives, from finding new ways to generate energy to creating new medicine to help the sick. This new knowledge can lead to positive developments; however, they may also raise issues that may not have been obvious at first. It’s important to be aware of these issues so we can understand the full impact of new scientific discoveries on the world.

Scientific Risk
There is a chance that scientific discoveries may be dangerous or cause harm—this is called risk. This is measured by how likely the negative effects are to happen and how serious they can be if they do. Risk can be obvious, such as coming into contact with a toxic substance. Risk may also be hard to foresee, such as a product containing a new substance that has properties we are not sure about.

Validity
Scientists won’t trust a experiment’s findings if the experiment produces different results when repeated, or if the experiment can’t be conducted by other scientists. If an experiment is repeatable and reproducible, and the results answer the hypothesis, then the experiment is considered valid

Experiment
Variables
When testing a hypothesis, scientists conduct experiments by changing one thing and seeing how it will influence something else. Sometimes, they need to keep some things the same so they can understand how one thing affects the other. These things are called variables, and by identifying them, scientists ensure their experiments are fair.

Safe Experiments
It’s important to conduct experiments safely to avoid any accidents happening. Sometimes, chemistry experiments can involve corrosive acids or heating substances, so there’s a risk of being injured or burned. The safety equipment shown here helps make experiments safer.

Equipment
When conducting an experiment, choosing the right equipment is important to collect the results you need appropriately and safely.

Planning
Experiments
Every stage of an experiment must be carefully planned out. You may need to carry out experiments in the classroom or explain how you would conduct an experiment for an exam. Every experiment is different, but there are six common stages. Most of these stages involve choosing your variables (see page 14), which is very important.