Wheel of Reason Activity: Analyze the Logic of Chemistry

Chemistry

Use this template for working through the logic of the profession, subject, or discipline now:

Specimen Answer:

Purpose:

is to study the most basic elements out of which all substances are composed and the conditions under which, and the mechanisms by which, substances are transformed into new substances. Chemists study pure substances, elements and compounds, molecules, atoms, and sub-atomic particles. They study chemical reactions, classes of chemicals, and uses for chemicals. Chemistry, like physics, conducts its study of the
physical properties of chemical substances insofar as the properties of these substances can be measured, expressed in mathematical formulas (or approximations), and explained by chemical theories. Its goals may be roughly contrasted with those of physics (which focuses on
physical properties, on the physical nature of matter and energy).

Question(s):

What are the chemical properties of pure substances insofar as they can be measured, expressed in mathematical formulas, and explained by chemical theories?

Information:

result from their observations of the physical and chemical properties of matter. They observe matter as divided into elements and compounds. They seek to gather information about pure substances, molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles. They compare the behavior of different molecules. They observe the speed of chemical reactions within plants and animals. They observe the extent to which helping agents are necessary for these reactions to take place.

Inference(s):

are made regarding the scope of chemical phenomena. When possible, chemists seek general hypotheses or chemical theories that they can test, modify, and perfect through extended study and experimentation. When successful, they predict new chemical phenomena in line with a given theory and then conduct further experiments to verify or falsify it.

Concept(s):

Chemical theory is based on a conception of atoms, their electronic structures, and their spatial arrangements in molecules. Other key concepts include matter, energy, gravity, physical property, chemical property, pure substance, element, compound, molecule, reaction, electron, electron transfer, electron sharing, chemical bonding, atomic weight, molecular weight, specific gravity, valence, catalysis, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, organic compound, and inorganic compound.

Assumption(s):

That the universe is controlled by laws, that the same laws apply throughout the universe, that the laws guiding the universe can be expressed in mathematical terms and formulas, that physical properties can be distinguished from chemical ones, that all (or most) of the changes in identity of substances, as they react with other substances, can be accounted for by the theories and laws of modern chemistry.

Implication(s):

The huge growth in knowledge and understanding of the chemical world as a result of advances in chemistry carries with it important implications for quality of life in many dimensions of human existence. Chemical knowledge has had significant implications in medicine, agriculture, engineering, and biology. Many new substances and materials have been produced through chemistry. Our knowledge of chemistry has also been misused in the building of weapons of mass destruction (biochemical weapons), in our polluting of the environment, and in creating chemicals harmful to people, other animals, and plants.

Point(s) of View:

Chemists see the physical world as containing basic elements whose structures can be studied and transformed in accordance with various chemical laws and principles.