History of chemistry

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/history-of-chemistry

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is History of chemistry known for?Isolation of mineral acids, alcohol, and development of distillation and sublimation techniques
2. What is the foundational law of modern chemistry?Law of Conservation of Mass, established by Antoine Lavoisier through quantitative experiments
3. What is the theoretical underpinning of bonding?Quantum mechanics, providing explanations for chemical bonds and molecular structures
4. How did early humans learn to use fire?Early humans discovered that fire could heat metal, making it easier to shape tools. This simple experiment taught them how to change materials.
5. Why did alchemists try to turn base metals into gold?Alchemists believed that by mixing and heating metals, they could transform them into something precious like gold. Even though it didn't work, their experiments helped discover new substances.

Metallurgy: The science and technology of extracting metals from their ores and preparing them for use.
Alchemy: An ancient practice combining elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, and art.
Phlogiston Theory: An early, now-discredited, theory that explained combustion as the release of a substance called phlogiston.
Stoichiometry: The calculation of relative quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions.