In the first part of this lecture we will describe how knowledge in Chemistry is acquired by means of the scientific method using scientific measurements. We will demonstrate how uncertainty arises in scientific measurements and how the uncertainty can be characterized. We will introduce the concept of a distribution function and its discrete approximation, the histogram. Then we will introduce the Gaussian distribution and its parameters, the mean and standard deviation.
In the second part of this lecture we will discuss the composition of matter. We will need to define a hierarchy of complexity of matter, which includes homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, substances, compounds and elements. Elements are particularly interesting because the basic building blocks of chemistry.
To prepare for this lecture, we suggest that you read sections 1-1 and 1-2 of Oxtoby, together with Appendix A (experimental error).
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