Science, Skepticism, and Knowledge: Three Tools for the

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“Science, Skepticism, and Knowledge: Three Tools for the Practicing Chemist”

David Ball ACS Fellow and Professor of Chemistry, Cleveland State University

David Harwell Asst. Director of Industry Member Programs, ACS

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Science, Skepticism, Knowledge: Three Tools for the Practicing Chemist

David W. Ball Department of Chemistry Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio

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What is

?

• A lot of people think science focuses on just knowing a lot (it doesn’t). • Many scientists can’t come up with an adequate definition of “science.” • A good, simple definition of “science” is difficult to construct. 13

Science is the process of studying the natural universe through observation and experiment.

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Science is the process of studying the natural universe through observation and experiment. •

Observation + Experiment → Evidence

•

Nothing should be accepted without evidence – even outside science!

•

It’s the most successful process we’ve developed to date to study the natural universe. 18

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It’s Also Important to Remember What Science is Not. • Anything contrived rather than natural is not science. – Example: language

• That doesn’t mean it’s not important. – Example: language

• Scientists shouldn’t look down on non-science (as long as it’s legitimate). 19

Audience Survey Question ANSWER THE QUESTION ON SCREEN

Which one is not science? • Theory of Evolution • Theory of Gravitation • Theory of Finance • Theory of Medical Anthropology • Trick question, they are all science 20

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How Do Scientists Work?

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Hypothesize a model • Test the model • Refine the model

Hypothesize

Test

Refine 21

“NOT.” • Overly simplistic (despite what we see in science fairs).

• In the last few centuries, a self-consistent explanation of the universe has been forthcoming; we build on that. • PROBLEM: There is potential for complacency because we ‘think’ we know what’s going on. • A good dose of skepticism can keep scientists (or anyone) on their toes. 22

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What is Skepticism? • Philosophical doctrine that suggests the truth of all knowledge must always be in question, and that the process of inquiry must include doubt. • Skeptics don’t simply disbelieve; they may require additional evidence before acknowledgement of “truth.” • Degree of doubt important: The level of evidence must be proportionate to the level of the claim. 23

Sometimes, even doubt can be misused… “Doubt is our product since it is the best means of competing with the ‘body of fact’ that exists in the mind of the general public.”

Internal memorandum at the Brown & Williamson company, 1969. (B&W merged with RJ Reynolds, now called Reynolds American Company.)

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Other Modern Examples • Climate change nay-sayers • Anti-vaxxers

• GMO opponents In all three cases, the term “skeptic” is not appropriate – a better term is “denier”. 25

Too Often, We are Not Skeptical Enough – And Not Just in Science Buy this outfit…it will make you a better person!

Examples: • Advertising • Politics • Alien visitations • Cold fusion 26

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What (hopefully) did we really learn from the cold fusion debacle? • People (even scientists) are willing to believe – Belief doesn’t make things true, though

• Lack of appropriate skepticism • “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof” applies to science as well as ESP, ghosts, and UFOs 27

Audience Survey Question ANSWER THE QUESTION ON SCREEN

Which claim requires the most extraordinary evidence? • Cats always land on their feet. • Cats can jump as high as 30 feet. • Cats can survive on a diet of meat alone. • Cats can have litters of more than a dozen kittens. 28

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Knowledge is Important as Well • Although science is not “facts” per se, knowledge is important in science – allows us to determine our point of ignorance, move forward. • Problem: never know what knowledge will be useful. • Another Problem: cannot dictate generation of new knowledge (“If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be research”). • So: know as much as possible. 29

One the Benefits of Useless Knowledge….

($2,522,700)

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Another Example… • 1962 – Neil Bartlett – UBC – noted that PtF6 reacted with O2 to make O2+PtF6-. • Supposedly realized O2 vs. Xe: – Similar sizes – Similar ionization energies • Mixed Xe with PtF6 – immediate reaction to make a yellow compound of questionable stoichiometry but known to contain Xe. • Several (80+) Xe compounds synthesized to date.

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Another Example from My Own Experiences…. • Joined the Scientific American Book Club • As a new member, got five free books: – A book on p – A book on e – A book on i,

1

– A book on ∞ – A book on f 32

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What is f? The Golden Ratio Consider a line segment: C

B

A

The line segment is said to be divided into segments having the golden ratio if the ratio of the whole to the longer is the same as the longer to the shorter:

AB  BC AB  f AB BC 33

The numerical value of f is about 1.618, and is given by the formula

f

1 5  1.6180339887... 2

The golden ratio has some neat mathematical properties:

f  1  1/ f f 2  f  1

1

f  1

1

1

1

1

f  1  1  1  1  1  ...

1

1 1  ...

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The Golden Rectangle • A rectangle whose sides are in the ratio of f is called a golden rectangle and is thought to be aesthetically pleasing: A

B

A f B

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Audience Survey Question Which shape would be considered a golden rectangle?

A

B

C

D 36

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Audience Survey Question Which shape would be considered a golden rectangle?

A

B

C

D 37

Urban Legend Tells Us That… Many famous art works, classical architecture use the golden ratio to size objects.

Analysis suggests that dependability on the golden ratio in the art, architectural world is overblown. 38

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The golden ratio was known to the ancients. How do we know? Knowing it is necessary to draw a perfect pentagram:

length of A f length of B

A

B 39

Anything with 5-sided Symmetry is Related to f. • Daydream: What in chemistry has five-fold symmetry (and so is related to f)?

Cyclopentadienyl, C5H5Ferrocene, Fe(C5H5)2 All Rights Reserved Takanori Ohkubo https://www.flickr.com/photos/azntako/4307768553/in/photostream/

Buckminsterfullerene, C60 Quasicrystals (overlapping 10-fold symmetry)

…and then a thought hit me…

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What is this?

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It’s the Line Diagram of a Hydrocarbon:

CH2 C

H2C

C

C

CH2 C

C H2C

CH2

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• Our Research: computational chemistry of new potential high energy materials • Standard computer programs used to determine properties (GAUSSIAN at Ohio Supercomputer Center) • High level theory to accurately predict the energy properties of “pentagramane” • Found that it burns to give off 49 kJ per gram of substance (cf. methane: 55 kJ/g)

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…so just because I read some books on interesting math concepts, a research paper on an unusual and unique molecule was published! 45

• Know difference between science and non-science. • Skepticism is a good tool for everyone, not just scientists. • Even random knowledge can help us develop a better understanding of the natural universe – so know your stuff! 46

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…and it may even help you get rich.

$2,522,700 47

Additional References: David W. Ball. “Hexacyclo[7.1.0.01,3.03,5.05,7.07,9]decane, or Pentagramane: High-Level Computational Studies on a Novel Hydrocarbon” Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry 2008, 21, 387 – 92.

Guy P. Harrison. Think: Why You Should Question Everything Prometheus Books: Amherst, NY, 2013. David Michaels. Doubt is Their Product Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2008. Sherry Seethaler. Lies, Damned Lies, and Science FT Science Press/Pearson Education: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2009. 48

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David Harwell

David Ball

Asst. Director of Industry Member Programs, ACS

ACS Fellow and Professor of Chemistry, Cleveland State University



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Next Webinar in the ACS Fellows Program Series!

Thursday, August 6, 2015

The American Chemical Society (ACSF) designation is awarded to a member who, in some capacity, has made exceptional contributions to the science or profession and has provided excellent volunteer service to the ACS community. www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding-and-awards/fellows.html

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David Ball ACS Fellow and Professor of Chemistry, Cleveland State University

David Harwell Asst. Director of Industry Member Programs, ACS



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How has ACS Webinars benefited you?

®

“I have what one might call an "alternative career" for a chemist: I'm a Russian-English scientific translator. ACS Webinars help me keep in touch with what's going on in chemistry today. I love seeing presentations by leading scientists on a wide variety of topics, all from the comfort and convenience of my own office.”

Amy Lesiewicz, Russian to English Scientific Translator

Be a featured fan on an upcoming webinar! Write to us @ [email protected]

53

facebook.com/acswebinars @acswebinars youtube.com/acswebinars

Search for “acswebinars” and connect! 54

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Benefits of ACS Membership Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) The preeminent weekly news source.

NEW! Free Access to ACS Presentations on Demand® ACS Member only access to over 1,000 presentation recordings from recent ACS meetings and select events.

NEW! ACS Career Navigator Your source for leadership development, professional education, career services, and much more.

www.acs.org/2joinACS

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ACS Webinars does not endorse any products or services. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the American Chemical Society.


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Science, Skepticism, and Knowledge: Three Tools for the

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