The Chemistry Book

Lesson: 02
Unit: 0
State Content Standard: Investigation & Experimentation

Lesson Title: Why learn chemistry? What are chemicals?
Textbook: pp. 3 - 6
Chemistry Passport: Page 16

Objectives

1. Students can define chemicals.

Lesson

Science has enriched and darkened our lives. We can think of many ways chemistry has improved our lives (e.g., clothes, shelter, transportation, entertainment). But there are many challenges to science, too.

The story of Thomas Midgley, Jr. is a wonderful example of the challenges our society faces with new discoveries.

Thomas Midgley, Jr. (May 18, 1889 – November 2, 1944)
One person developed two compounds that destroy the environment.
• CFC: Chlorofluorocarbon compounds – destroys ozone layer
• TEL: Tetraethyl lead – an additive to gasoline – lead causes birth defects, brain damage.

“What are chemicals?” Survey
1. Chemicals are matter, made up of mass and space.
2. Specific chemical composition
3. Made from atoms

Many people believe that chemicals are distinct from materials we use every day. They are not. The word chemicals is a general term, used to describe pure substances and mixtures.