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Chemistry Cheat Sheet Edition

The document provides an overview of chemistry, defining it as the study of matter and its interactions with energy. It distinguishes chemistry from physics through specific questions and offers real-life examples of both fields. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding chemical processes in daily life and encourages a scientific thinking approach to observations and inquiries.

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aliaimran409
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11 views3 pages

Chemistry Cheat Sheet Edition

The document provides an overview of chemistry, defining it as the study of matter and its interactions with energy. It distinguishes chemistry from physics through specific questions and offers real-life examples of both fields. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding chemical processes in daily life and encourages a scientific thinking approach to observations and inquiries.

Uploaded by

aliaimran409
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHEAT SHEET: Intro to Chemistry in Real Life (Alia Edition)

1. What is Chemistry?

Definition (Book-Style): Chemistry is the science that investigates the materials of the universe and
the changes they undergo.
Definition (Harvard-Style Clarity): Chemistry is the study of matter, what it's made of, how it
behaves, and how it changes-especially when energy is involved.

2. How Does Chemistry Interact with Energy and Other Matter?

- Energy can change matter: e.g., heat turns ice (solid) into water (liquid)
- Matter can store, absorb, or release energy
- Chemistry explores how energy causes transformations at the molecular level

Examples:
- Light hitting a leaf -> photosynthesis -> chemical energy stored
- Tea cooling down -> energy transfer -> molecular vibration decreases

3. Chemistry vs. Physics (What's What?)

Ask These 4 Questions to Identify Chemistry:


1. Is matter changing identity? -> Chemistry
2. Are molecules/atoms reacting or bonding? -> Chemistry
3. Is energy changing matter's structure? -> Chemistry
4. Is focus on composition, not just motion? -> Chemistry

Ask These to Spot Physics:


1. Is it about movement, force, speed? -> Physics
2. Is energy transferring, but matter stays same? -> Physics
3. Is it about light, sound, electricity, waves? -> Physics
4. Is matter just being moved or affected? -> Physics

4. Real Life Examples with Branches

Tea is warm -> Heat energy flowing -> Physics (Thermodynamics)


Tea smells -> Molecules evaporate -> Chemistry (Volatility)
Tea color -> Light absorbed/reflected -> Both (Optics + Molecular Structure)
Milk mixing -> Molecules dissolve -> Chemistry (Solutions)
Steam rises -> Phase change -> Chemistry (States of matter)
Spoon bent in tea -> Light bending -> Physics (Refraction)
Tea cools -> Energy transfer + molecular slowdown -> Physics + Chemistry (Thermodynamics)

5. Reflection, Absorption, Refraction - What They Mean

Reflection: Light bounces off -> e.g., mirror


Absorption: Light is taken in -> e.g., black shirt gets hot
Refraction: Light bends -> e.g., spoon looks bent in water
Transmission: Light passes through -> e.g., sunlight through glass
Scattering: Light spreads randomly -> e.g., blue sky

6. How to Tell It's Chemistry?

Ask: "Am I looking at what it's made of or how it's behaving?"


- Made of -> Chemistry
- Movement, energy flow -> Physics

7. Chemistry in Daily Life Examples

Sugar dissolving -> Solutions


Smell of food cooking -> Gas release / Reactions
Rusting -> Oxidation
Baking -> Chemical change
Ice melting -> Physical change
Shampoo foaming -> Molecular interaction
Milk curdling -> Acid-base reaction

8. Mental Models

- "I'm not seeing the object-I'm seeing the light it reflects."


- "If matter is changing at a molecular level, it's chemistry."
- "If energy is moving or being transferred, it's physics-unless it's changing the substance, then it's
chemistry too."
- "Science overlaps. It's about what you're focusing on."

9. Harvard Style Science Thinking

Observation -> Ask:


- What's happening?
- Why is it happening?
- Is energy involved?
- Is matter changing?
- Can I break this down into smaller parts?
-> Identify the science -> Dive into concepts -> Connect to real life

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