DISUCSSION 1 : The fluoride rinse in dental offices usually contains sodium fluoride. Sodium fluoride can be prepared from the reaction between sodium metal and fluorine gas. Which properly represents the balanced chemical equation for this reaction?
Na(s) + F2(g) → NaF2(s)
Na(s) + F(g) → NaF(s)
7Na(s) + F(g) → Na7F(s)
2Na(s) + F2(g) → 2Na2F(s)
2Na(s) + F2(g) → 2NaF(s)
Why is it important to understand this equation? What do you think could happen if this is incorrect?
DISCUSSION 2: What does it mean to say that a claim is credible? What are some ways to evaluate a claim for credibility?
Find an example of a fallacy in popular advertising. Upload the image/words or provide a link. Identify the fallacy and why you think that this particular type of advertisement works or does not work.
(A LITTLE BACKGROUNG INFO ON DISCUSSION 2)
Logical fallacies are mistakes in reasoning that can make an argument appear convincing, even though it might not be. Imagine you’re building a puzzle. If you use the wrong pieces or put them together in the wrong way, the picture won’t make sense. In the same way, logical fallacies are like puzzle pieces that don’t fit quite right in an argument.
For example, think about a friend who says, “I can’t believe we should listen to the new teacher. She’s young, so she probably doesn’t know anything.” This is a type of fallacy called “Ad Hominem,” where someone attacks the person instead of addressing their actual ideas.
Another fallacy is called “False Cause.” It’s like saying, “Every time I wear my lucky socks, my team wins. So, my lucky socks must be the reason we’re winning.” Just because two things happen together doesn’t mean one caused the other.
Learning about logical fallacies helps us see when an argument isn’t based on strong, logical thinking. It’s like having a toolkit to check if the puzzle pieces of an argument fit together correctly. By understanding these fallacies, you can be a better critical thinker and make more informed decisions.
A good website that has most of the logical fallacies is here – it is interactive and clickable: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/Links to an external site.
