Chemistry and Society
Chemistry and Society
Chemistry 110
March 17, 2012
Introduction
Chemistry is very important in our lives even though we may not realize that chemistry is everywhere. This paper serves to examine the ways in which chemistry is relevant in everyday life and in society. It will also examine the difference between accuracy and precision and provide examples of when accuracy and precision are crucial in measurements and why society depends on these measurements to be accurate and precise ( Tam 2012).
Chemistry in Society When we turn on the tap and fill a glass with water and drink it, we are benefitting from the chemical process that removes impurities from water, providing us with clean drinking water. When we use a laundry detergent to remove a stubborn stain from clothing, we are able to do so because of a chemical reaction. The medicines that heal us are a result of a chemical reaction within our bodies. The time-released medicines that we take, delay certain chemical reactions until our bodies need them. There are chemical reactions happening around us every second of every day.
Chemistry also plays a role in assuring that we protect and preserve our planet. Green chemistry or sustainable chemistry is the branch of chemistry that focuses on ways to reduce the damage to our environment through waste prevention, proper waste disposal, and identifying renewable energy sources (Ravichandran, 2011).
Precision vs. Accuracy Precision is the state of being exact and the ability of a measurement to be reproduced consistently (“precision”, n.d.). Accuracy is the freedom from mistakes that arise as a result of being careful (“accuracy”, n.d.). Precision incorporates the element of time whereas accuracy is the correctness of a single event. You can achieve precision if you do something accurately and consistently over time.
In science, the precision of a number lies in the number of reported digits. The greatest amount of precision of
Chemistry 110
March 17, 2012
Introduction
Chemistry is very important in our lives even though we may not realize that chemistry is everywhere. This paper serves to examine the ways in which chemistry is relevant in everyday life and in society. It will also examine the difference between accuracy and precision and provide examples of when accuracy and precision are crucial in measurements and why society depends on these measurements to be accurate and precise ( Tam 2012).
Chemistry in Society When we turn on the tap and fill a glass with water and drink it, we are benefitting from the chemical process that removes impurities from water, providing us with clean drinking water. When we use a laundry detergent to remove a stubborn stain from clothing, we are able to do so because of a chemical reaction. The medicines that heal us are a result of a chemical reaction within our bodies. The time-released medicines that we take, delay certain chemical reactions until our bodies need them. There are chemical reactions happening around us every second of every day.
Chemistry also plays a role in assuring that we protect and preserve our planet. Green chemistry or sustainable chemistry is the branch of chemistry that focuses on ways to reduce the damage to our environment through waste prevention, proper waste disposal, and identifying renewable energy sources (Ravichandran, 2011).
Precision vs. Accuracy Precision is the state of being exact and the ability of a measurement to be reproduced consistently (“precision”, n.d.). Accuracy is the freedom from mistakes that arise as a result of being careful (“accuracy”, n.d.). Precision incorporates the element of time whereas accuracy is the correctness of a single event. You can achieve precision if you do something accurately and consistently over time.
In science, the precision of a number lies in the number of reported digits. The greatest amount of precision of
References: Karukstis, K. K. (2003, November). Chemistry of Everyday Life. World & I, 18(11), 146-154. accuracy. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com precision. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com Ravichandran, S. (2011, July). Implementation Of Green Chemistry Principles into Practice. International Journal of Chem Tech Research, 3(3), 1046-1049. Academic Search Complete. Tam. (2012). Chemistry and Society Individual Paper: Grading Form Week 1. Retrieved from Dr. Tam, Chem110 website. Tro, N. J. (2009). Introductory Chemistry (3rd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection.