Importance of chemistry

Chemistry involves the study of the entire material universe, living and non-living. It
affects our understanding of all that happens around us. Everything is chemistry.
There is no change that occurs in this universe that does not involve chemical
process. Most of our everyday equipments that we use have been

Chemistry is a fundamental science. Chemistry is responsible for many of the materials used in modern
society. It is also responsible for the medications we take to improve health. These are just a few of the
endless importances but I think you get the point
honestly, think about all the medicine, building materials, and household products we use daily. chemistry
is a key part of everyday life, and simple knowledge could potentially save your life someday.
Chemistry, a branch of physical science, is the study of the composition, properties and behavior
of matter.

[1][2]

As it is a fundamental component of matter, the atom is the basic unit of chemistry. Chemistry

is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, with particular focus on the properties of
the chemical bonds formed between species. Chemistry is also concerned with the interactions between
atoms or molecules and various forms of energy (e.g. photochemical reactions, oxidation-reduction
reactions, changes in phases of matter, separation of mixtures, properties of polymers, etc.).
Chemistry is sometimes called "the central science" because it bridges other natural
sciences likephysics, geology and biology with each other.

[3][4]

science butdistinct from physics.

Chemistry is a branch of physical

[5]

The etymology of the word chemistry has been much disputed. The genesis of chemistry can be traced
[6]

to certain practices, known as alchemy, which had been practiced for several millennia in various parts of
the world, particularly the Middle East.

[7]

At one time it was easy to define chemistry. The traditional definition goes something like this:
Chemistry is the study of the nature, properties, and composition of matter, and how these
undergo changes. That served as a perfectly adequate definition as late as the 1930s, when
natural science (the systematic knowledge of nature) seemed quite clearly divisible into the
physical and biological sciences, with the former being comprised of physics, chemistry, geology
and astronomy and the latter consisting of botany and zoology. This classification is still used,
but the emergence of important important fields to study such as oceanography, paleobotany,
meteorology, pharmacy and biochemistry, for example, have made it increasingly clear that the
dividing lines between the sciences are no longer at all sharp. Chemistry, for instance, now
overlaps so much with geology (thus we have geochemistry), astronomy (astrochemistry), and
physics (physical and analytical chemistry) that it is probably impossible to devise a really good
modern definition of chemistry, except, perhaps, to fall back on the operational definition:
Chemistry is what chemists do!

Chemistry plays an important part in all of the other natural sciences, basic and applied. Plant
growth and metabolism, the formation of igneous rocks, the role played by ozone in the
atmosphere, the degradation of environmental pollutants, the properties of lunar soil, the medical
action of drugs, establishment of forensic evidence: none of these can be understood without the
knowledge and perspective provided by chemistry. Indeed, many people study chemistry so that
they can apply it to their own particular field of interest. Of course, chemistry itself is the field of
interest for many people, too. Many study chemistry not to apply it to another field, but simply to
learn more about the physical world and the behaviour of matter from a chemical viewpoint.
Some simply like "what chemists do" and so decide to "do it" themselves.
Chemistry is a way of studying matter. What is matter? As is true with many of those words
which are really basic to science, matter is hard to define. It is often said that matter is anything
which has mass and occupies space. But then what are "mass" and "space"? Although we can
define these, the process yields very little insight into what matter is. So let us just say that matter
is anything which has real physical existence; in a word matter is just stuff. Iron, air, wool, gold,
milk, aspirin, monkeys, rubber, and pizza - these are all matter. Some things which are not matter
are heat, cold, colours, dreams hopes, ideas, sunlight, beauty, fear, and x-rays. None of these is
"stuff"; none is matter.
A sample of matter can be either a pure substance or a mixture. A pure substance has a fixed,
characteristic composition an a fixed, definite set of properties. Pure substances are for example
copper, salt, diamond, water, table sugar, oxygen, mercury, vitamin C, and ozone. A pure
substance may be a single element, such as copper or oxygen, or a compound of two or more
elements in a fixed ratio, such as salt (39.34 % sodium and 60.66 % chlorine) or table sugar
(42.11 % carbon, 6.48 % hydrogen, and 51.41 % oxygen).
A mixture is a collection of pure substances simply mixed together. Its composition is variable,
as are its properties. Examples of mixtures are milk, wood, concrete, saltwater, air, granite, motor
oil, chocolate, and elephants.
A pure substance can be a solid, a liquid, or a gas; these are the three states of matter A solid
maintains its volume and shape; a liquid, its volume only; and a gas, neither. Solids tend to be
hard and unyielding; liquids maintain their volumes and flow to adopt the shapes of their
containers. The ability to flow is called fluidity, and so gases and liquids are called fluids.
One of the goals of chemistry is to be able to describe the properties of matter in terms of its
internal structure, the arrangement and interrelationship of its parts. This word, structure,
sometimes refers to the physical arrangement of particles, such as atoms or molecules in space.
At other times it is used to indicate some other arrangement, such as the arrangement of energy
levels of an electron in an atom. The structure of matter determines its properties. Properties can
be classed as either physical or chemical. A physical property of a substance can be characterized
without specific reference to any other substance and usually describes the response of the
substance to some external influence, such as heat, light, force, electricity, etc. Physical
properties include boiling point, melting point, thermal (heat) conductivity, colour, refractive
index, viscosity, reflectivity, hardness, tensile strength, and electrical conductivity.

A chemical property, on the other hand, describes a chemical change: the interaction of one
substance with another , or the change of one substance into another. Iron rusts in a moist
environment, unrefrigerated milk turns sour, wood burns in air, photographs bleach when
exposed to sunlight for a long time, dynamite explodes - each of these is a chemical property
because each involves chemical change. During chemical changes, substances are actually
changed into other substances. The simultaneous disappearance of some substances (called the
reactants) and appearance of others (the products) is characteristic in chemical change (chemical
reaction). Chemical changes are generally characterized by pronounced internal structural
rearrangements.
Physical changes are not characterized by the transformation of one substance into another, but
rather by the change of the form of a given substance. The bending of a piece of copper wire fails
to change the property of copper into another substance; crushing a block of ice leaves only
crushed ice; melting an iron nail yields a substance still called iron: These are all usually
accepted as physical changes.
Properties of matter may also be categorized as either macroscopic or microscopic. A
macroscopic property describes characteristics or behaviour of a sample which is large enough to
see, handle, manipulate, weigh, etc. A microscopic property describes the behaviour of a much
smaller sample of matter, an atom or molecule for instance.. Macroscopic and microscopic
properties are often different. A banana is yellow, but we do not use colour to describe an atom.
Some properties, on the other hand, can be either microscopic or macroscopic; mass is one of
these.
Another word that is often used is system. A system is a portion of the universe which we wish to
observe or consider. The size of the portion is usually small and a system may be a real one (in a
test tube or flask, for example), or an imaginary one which this text is just referring to.

Viewed from an historical point of view, it is clear that scientific knowledge has been
obtained and that therefore science has "advanced" in a series of fairly logical steps. On the
other hand, counterparts to these steps are difficult to identify in the day-to-day professional
activities of a scientist. The way in which science and in particular chemistry advances can be
describes in terms of a series of cycles (see diagram below). Observations and data (and laws)
lead to the proposal of theories that, in turn, suggest predictions which can be tested by designing
new experiments, and the whole process starts all over again.

What is chemistry?

To put it simply, chemistry is a science that deals with how materials form, their composition, various
attributes, how they transform, and the energy they consume or release through these
transformations.
Chemistry relates to each and everything you can sense, from right down to the elemental level to
massive complex structures. It deals with how things are constructed and formulated to how they
break apart and the energy that is either absorbed or released in each of these processes.
The study of the science of chemistry shows us, for example, how the table salt we eat everyday is
actually constructed of crystals formed out of sodium and chlorine, and why the Statue of Liberty,
constructed out of metallic copper is now green.
Chemists are people who understand, deal with and use chemistry in three distinct ways:
They help explain occurrences, describing how things occur and why they occur
They investigate materials to study and discover their chemical composition
They combine and blend substances to create new chemicals and compounds such as
medication and shampoo.
Frequently called the "central science," chemistry incorporates and connects both the science of
biology and physics and serves of great importance in engineering applications and the study of
medicine.

Main Branches of Chemistry

Although many would say that there are FIVE main branches of chemistry, namely: Physical,
Analytical, Biochemistry, Organic and Inorganic chemistry many would argue that the science of
chemistry actually links out to other branches or sub-branches that include Materials Chemistry,
Theoretical Chemistry, Macromolecular (Polymer) Chemistry, Nuclear Chemistry, Metallurgy,
Forensic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and more.
It is important to note that often sub-branches fall under one or more of the main branches of
chemistry.
Lets start by taking a look at the 5 main branches of chemistry and then delve deeper into
chemistrys many sub-branches:

Analytical Chemistry
Analytical chemistry is the study involving how we analyze the chemical components of samples.
How much caffeine is really in a cup of coffee? Are there drugs found in athletes urine samples?
What is the pH level of my swimming pool? Examples of areas using analytical chemistry include
forensic science, environmental science, and drug testing.

Analytical chemistry is divided into two main branches: qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Qualitative analysis employs methods/measurements to help determine the components of
substances. Quantitative analysis on the other hand, helps to identify how much of each component
is present in a substance.
Both types of analysis can be used to provide important information about an unidentified sample
and help to identify what the sample is.
For more detailed reading on analytical chemistry check out the helpful links below:
Analytical Chemistry - Definition, History, Applications and more
Analytical Chemistry and its many branches
Analytical Chemistry: Software, Journals & Publications, Lab Techniques, Lecture & Class

Notes

Careers in Analytical Chemistry

VIDEO: Analytical Chemistry 2.0 Audio book

Biochemistry
The study of life or more aptly put, of chemical processes in living organisms. Biochemists research
includes cancer and stem cell biology, infectious disease as well as membrane and structural biology
and spans molecular biology, genetics, mechanistic biochemistry, genomics, evolution and systems
biology.
Biochemistry, according to many scientists can also be explained as a discipline in which biological
phenomena are examined in chemical terms. Examples are digestion and cellular respiration.
For this reason biochemistry is also known as Chemical Biology or Biological Chemistry.
Under the main umbrella of biochemistry many new sub-branches have emerged that modern
chemists may specialize in solely. Some of these disciplines include:
1.
Enzymology (study of enzymes)
2.
Endocrinology (study of hormones)
3.
Clinical Biochemistry (study of diseases)
4.
Molecular Biochemistry (Study of Biomolecules and their functions).
There are also others like Pharmacological Biochemistry, Agricultural Biochemistry and more.
Click the informative links below to learn more about biochemistry:

Biochemistry - Definition, History, Applications and more

Biochemistry and its many branches
Biochemistry: Drugs and Medications, Journals & Publications, Lecture Notes & Labs

Chem4kids: Biochemistry
Careers in Biochemistry
What careers can I pursue with a degree in biochemistry?
FREE Download: Biochemistry Free & Easy by Kevin Ahern and Indira Rajagopal
VIDEO: Biochemistry lectures by Kevin Ahern Fall 2011
VIDEO: Biochemistry lectures by Kevin Ahern Winter 2012

Inorganic chemistry
Chemists in this field focus on elements and compounds other than carbon or hydrocarbons. Simply
put, inorganic chemistry covers all materials that are not organic and are termed as non-living
substances those compounds that do not contain a carbon hydrogen (C-H) bond.
Compounds studied by inorganic chemists include crystal structures, minerals, metals, catalysts, and
most elements on the periodic table. An example is the strength of a power beam used to carry a
specific weight or investigating how gold is formed in the earth.
Branches of inorganic chemistry include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Bioinorganic chemistry (study of role of metals in biology)

Coordination chemistry (study of coordination compounds and interactions of ligands)
Geochemistry (study of the earths chemical composition, rocks, minerals & atmosphere)
Inorganic technology (synthesizing new inorganic compounds)
Nuclear chemistry (study of radioactive substances)
Organometallic chemistry (study of chemicals that contain bonds between a metal and
carbon overlaps into organic chemistry)
7.
Solid-state chemistry/materials chemistry (study of the forming, structure, and characteristics
of solid phase materials)
8.
Synthetic inorganic chemistry (study of synthesizing chemicals)
9.
Industrial inorganic chemistry (study of materials used in manufacturing. E.g.: fertilizers)
Read up on more about inorganic chemistry below:

Inorganic Chemistry - Definition, History, Applications and more

Inorganic Chemistry and its many branches
Inorganic Chemistry: Journals & Publications, Lecture Notes and Labs
Careers in Inorganic Chemistry
VIDEO: MIT Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry
VIDEO: Inorganic Chemistry Lectures

Organic chemistry

The study of carbon compounds such as fuels, plastics, food additives, and drugs. An opposite of
inorganic chemistry that focuses on non-living matter and non-carbon based substances, organic
chemistry deals with the study of carbon and the chemicals in living organisms. An example is the
process of photosynthesis in a leaf because there is a change in the chemical composition of the
living plant.
Organic chemists are often the ones who devise experimental methods to isolate or synthesize new
materials, or to study their properties, and usually work and research in a lab. Some examples on the
work they do include formulating a conditioner that keeps hair softer, developing a better drug for
headaches and creating a non-toxic home cleaning product.
The branches of organic chemistry involve many different disciplines including the study of ketones,
aldehydes, hydrocarbons (alkenes, alkanes, alkynes) and alcohols.
1.
2.

Stereochemistry (study of the 3-dimensional structure of molecules)

Medicinal chemistry (deals with designing, developing and synthesizing pharmaceutical
drugs)
3.
Organometallic chemistry (study of chemicals that contain bonds between a carbon and a
metal)
4.
Physical organic chemistry (study of structure and reactivity in organic molecules)
5.
Polymer chemistry (study of the composition and creation of polymer molecules)
Want to learn more about organic chemistry? Browse the resources below:

Organic Chemistry - Definition, History, Applications and more

Organic Chemistry and its many branches
Organic Chemistry: Journals & Publications, Lab Techniques, Lecture Notes and Labs
Careers in Organic Chemistry
VIDEO: YALE Freshman Organic Chemistry, Fall, 2008
VIDEO: Organic Chemistry Alcohols
VIDEO: Organic Chemistry Organometallics
VIDEO: Organic Chemistry Stereochemistry
VIDEO: Organic Chemistry SN2, SN1, E2 AND E1 reactions

Physical chemistry
The study of the physical properties of molecules, and their relation to the ways in which molecules
and atoms are put together. Physical chemistry deals with the principles and methodologies of both
chemistry and physics and is the study of how chemical structure impacts physical properties of a
substance. An example is baking brownies, as youre mixing materials and using heat and energy to
get the final product.
Physical chemists would typically study the rate of a chemical reaction, the interaction of molecules
with radiation, and the calculation of structures and properties.

Sub-branches of physical chemistry include:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Electrochemistry (study of the interaction of atoms, molecules, ions and electric current)
Photochemistry (study of the chemical effects of light; photochemical reactions)
Surface chemistry (study of chemical reactions at interfaces)
Chemical Kinetics (study of rates of chemical reactions)
Thermodynamics/Thermochemistry (study of how heat relates to chemical change)
Quantum Mechanics/Quantum Chemistry (study of quantum mechanics and how it relates to
chemical phenomena)
7.
Spectroscopy (study of spectra of light or radiation)
To learn more about physical chemistry check out the resources below:
Physical Chemistry - Definition, History, Applications and more
Physical Chemistry and its many branches
Physical Chemistry: Problem Sets, Lecture Notes, Articles and Labs
Careers in Physical Chemistry
VIDEO: MIT Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Spring, 2008

Chemistry is typically divided into several major sub-disciplines. There are also several main crossdisciplinary and more specialized fields of chemistry.[52]

Analytical chemistry is the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their chemical
composition and structure. Analytical chemistry incorporates standardized experimental methods in
chemistry. These methods may be used in all subdisciplines of chemistry, excluding purely theoretical
chemistry.

Biochemistry is the study of the chemicals, chemical reactions and chemical interactions that take
place in living organisms. Biochemistry and organic chemistry are closely related, as inmedicinal
chemistry or neurochemistry. Biochemistry is also associated with molecular biology and genetics.

Inorganic chemistry is the study of the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds. The
distinction between organic and inorganic disciplines is not absolute and there is much overlap, most
importantly in the sub-discipline of organometallic chemistry.

Materials chemistry is the preparation, characterization, and understanding of substances with a

useful function. The field is a new breadth of study in graduate programs, and it integrates elements
from all classical areas of chemistry with a focus on fundamental issues that are unique to materials.
Primary systems of study include the chemistry of condensed phases (solids, liquids, polymers)
and interfaces between different phases.

Neurochemistry is the study of neurochemicals; including transmitters, peptides, proteins, lipids,

sugars, and nucleic acids; their interactions, and the roles they play in forming, maintaining, and
modifying the nervous system.

Nuclear chemistry is the study of how subatomic particles come together and make nuclei.
Modern Transmutation is a large component of nuclear chemistry, and the table of nuclides is an
important result and tool for this field.

Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms,

and reactions of organic compounds. An organic compound is defined as any compound based on a
carbon skeleton.

Physical chemistry is the study of the physical and fundamental basis of chemical systems and
processes. In particular, the energetics and dynamics of such systems and processes are of interest
to physical chemists. Important areas of study include chemical thermodynamics, chemical
kinetics, electrochemistry, statistical mechanics, spectroscopy, and more recently,astrochemistry.
[53]
Physical chemistry has large overlap with molecular physics. Physical chemistry involves the use
of infinitesimal calculus in deriving equations. It is usually associated withquantum chemistry and
theoretical chemistry. Physical chemistry is a distinct discipline from chemical physics, but again,
there is very strong overlap.

Theoretical chemistry is the study of chemistry via fundamental theoretical reasoning (usually
within mathematics or physics). In particular the application of quantum mechanics to chemistry is
called quantum chemistry. Since the end of the Second World War, the development of computers
has allowed a systematic development of computational chemistry, which is the art of developing and
applying computer programs for solving chemical problems. Theoretical chemistry has large overlap
with (theoretical and experimental) condensed matter physics andmolecular physics.

Sciences related to chemistry

Chemistry is closely related to several other scientific fields. Chemistry is especially
related to the field of physics, especially in regards to quantum mechanics,
thermodynamics and electromagnetism, etc. These overlapping topics are often
investigated as physical chemistry. Sometimes, chemistry is even referred to as "applied
physics" due to the extensive overlap between these fields.
Chemistry is also closely connected with biology, and the hybrid field of biochemistry is
concerned with topics such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, as all of
these substances are synthesized in vivo by elaborate chemical reactions.
On a similar note, chemistry is also related to the field of pharmacology. By
investigating the structural features of drug molecules from a chemical standpoint,
chemists and pharmacologists can develop new drugs with superior properties. These
candidate molecules are synthesized by synthetic organic chemists.

As is clear from the aforementioned relationships, chemistry is essential in many fields

of study.
Chemistry itself is a major branch of science. It consists of the structure and behaviour of matter

Chemistry is often referred to as the central science since it links both physics and
biology and plays a critical role with medicine and engineering.

ntroduction
Chemistry: Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its
composition, structure and properties. [pic]
Daily Life: All the things that happen or that you do regularly.
Chemistry in Daily Life: Chemistry is a big part of our everyday life. We find chemistry in daily
life in the foods we eat, the air we breathe, our soap, our emotions and literally every object we
can see or touch. Here's a look at some everyday chemistry.
[pic]
Actually, we found chemistry every were in our daily life, in every sector of our life.
Importance of Chemistry:
Chemistry is important in everyday life because everything is made of chemicals. You are made
of chemicals. Many of the changes you observe in the world around you are caused by
chemical reactions. Examples include changing colors of leaves, cooking food and getting
clean.
Breathing:
Breathing is chemistry, because plants create oxygen through photosynthesis using carbon
dioxide that humans exhale. Every moment we take breath for live. So, Chemistry uses our
daily life.
Drug:
Behind every drug there is utilization of mixed chemicals so present man can not lead life
without drug that is miracle of chemistry.
Chemistry in Household Work
Chemistry can found every were so Chemistry use in our house. We use Chemistry in every
work, what we do in our life.

Home needs:
Plastics:
All home needs like plastics(mugs,buckets,polythene covers,bags,comb.....etc) which made by
the use of Chemistry.
Glass:
In daily life glass is used for a variety of purposes, the glass is used for making window panes,
bulbs &tumblers in soda glass.
Soaps:
[pic]
Soaps are the detergents used since long. Soaps used for cleaning purpose are sodium or
potassium salts of long chain fatty acids, e.g., stearic, oleic and palmitic acids. Soaps containing
sodium salts are formed by heating fat (i.e., glyceryl ester of fatty acid) with aqueous sodium
hydroxide solution. This reaction is known as..
Importance of chemistry in our daily life
Importance of chemistry in our daily life
Everything is made of chemicals. Many of the changes we observe in the world around we see
that caused by chemical reactions. Chemistry is very important because it helps us to know the
composition, structure& changes of matter. All the matters are made up of chemistry. In our
every day like various chemical are being used in various from, some of those are being used
as food, some of those used clanging etc.
1 Element in the Human Body
Body is made up of chemical compounds, which are combinations of elements. Probably know
body is mostly water, which is hydrogen and oxygen,
2. Health Care and Beauty:
The diagnostic tests carried out in laboratories, the prognostic estimations, medical
prescriptions, pills, the vaccines, the antibiotics play very vital role in health monitoring, control
of diseases and in alleviating the sufferings of the humanity. Right from birth control to
enhancement of life expectancy- all have been made possible using the unequivocal services of
Chemistry. From simple sterilization surgical instruments with antiseptic solution to
Chemotherapy and Genome sequencing are all nothing but applications of Chemistry. Injecting
cows, buffaloes, goat and sheep with bovine some towrope Increases milk-production but it is
indiscriminately being used by sportspersons to un-ethically enhance performance. Aging- a
chemical change can only be checked chemically. Most beauty products are produced through

chemical synthesis to clean, nurture and protect skins. However their certain ingredients are
hazardous to our health in the long run.

Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which
matter is composed; the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact,
combine, and change; and the use of these processes to form new substances.
Before understanding the importance of chemistry in general it is essential to know the importance of
chemistry in everyday life.
1. Everything on earth is made up of chemicals: you, your food, and the products you use in daily life
such as soaps, perfumes etc. all are made up of chemicals. Life without chemicals is impossible.
2. A number of changes that you observe are the result of chemical reactions like the rain, the
change in the color of leaves, cleaning of any particular material in your house, all involve chemicals.
3. The basic knowledge of chemistry is essential for all; you need to understand certain chemical
reactions. When does your packet food expire? What disinfectants and repellents you should use to
keep your house hygienic and healthy and so on.
I never knew that chemistry is applied to so many things in everyday life! I knew that there would be
a lot of math involved and just thought that we would be studying science more in depth. Now that
Ive read this, I am more interested in studying chemistry at school. Guest Jonathan Liu
Chemistry is important because it helps in exploring things which are unknown to mankind.
Chemistry is important because it explains the future behavior of plants and animals and all of us
use chemicals directly or indirectly in our daily lives.
We are using chemistry when we cook, when we wash, when we eat, when we get ready, when we
play, when we think, as a matter of fact, we always use chemistry. Increasing our knowledge in
chemistry is essential if we want to improve our daily lifestyle.
Chemistry is also important for the environment. When you are aware of the harmful effects of the
gases like carbon dioxide and methane as a result of the greenhouse effect, you can easily carve
out the solutions for the reduction of its effects on the environment. If you possess a minimum
knowledge of the importance and use of chemistry you can help in saving the environment to a large
extent.

Though chemistry is understood as a complicated and a boring science subject, but chemistry is
solely responsible in explaining the world you live in, apart from explaining cooking, cleaning,
medicine and environment issues; chemistry is in essence the study of everything.
Understanding the basic chemistry is essential for all, but specializing in chemistry, making a career
out of the subject is also interesting. Plenty of chemistry related high paying jobs are available today.
All the medical students, physicists, geologists, nutritionists study chemistry.
What is essential to understand is that the importance of chemistry will increase day by day and it is
essential to understand the basic chemistry to properly conduct the activities of the daily life.