Chemistry is the study of matter its composition, structure, properties, transformation

from one form to another, and the energy that accompanies its transformation.
Branches of Chemistry :
Organic Chemistry It is concerned with the study of most carbon-based
compounds. It also studies the composition of structures in life forms to gain a better

understanding of what creates life and how it continues to form and develop.
Inorganic Chemistry It deals with all substances which are not considered
to be organic, which may contain any of the over 100 elements (including carbon).
All metallic and nonmetallic elements are inorganic, as are the naturally occurring
minerals and metal ores from which these are obtained.
Physical Chemistry It deals with the application of physical laws to chemical
change and chemical systems. This type of chemistry applies some of the principles
and practices of physics to explain things such as chemical equilibrium,
intermolecular forces and how they affect the physical properties of materials.
Biochemistry It is concerned with the chemistry of life processes and living

organisms. It places a great emphasis on what happens at the molecular level. It

studies what goes on inside our bodies, including the cells, lipids and proteins. It also
looks at how our cells talk to each other in situations where the body is fighting a
sickness or when it is growing and maturing.
Analytical Chemistry It is concerned mainly with the various techniques and
laboratory methods to determine the composition of matter.

Environmental Chemistry It is the study of chemical phenomena in nature. This

includes the sources, reactions, transport and effects of chemical species in air, soil
and water. It also includes the effects of human activities upon these natural
environments.

Importance & Significance of Chemistry :

Cooking -

Chemistry explains how food changes as you cook it, how it rots, how to preserve

food, how your body uses the food you eat, and how ingredients interact to make food.

Cleaning -

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Part of the importance of chemistry is it explains how cleaning works. You use chemistry
to help decide what cleaner is best for dishes, laundry, yourself, and your home. You use
chemistry when you use bleaches and disinfectants and even ordinary soap and water.

Medicine -

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You need to understand basic chemistry so you can understand how vitamins,
supplements, and drugs can help or harm you. Part of the importance of chemistry lies in
developing and testing new medical treatments and medicines.
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Environmental Issues -

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Chemistry is at the heart of environmental issues. What makes one chemical a nutrient
and another chemical a pollutant? How can you clean up the environment? What
processes can produce the things you need without harming the environment?

Laboratory Precautions :
1. Never work alone in the laboratory.
2. Smoking is not permitted in the building.

3. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

4. Know the location and use of the fire extinguisher, safety showers and first aid kit.
5. It is required that you wear prescription glasses or safety glasses at all times in the
laboratory for your own protection. Contact lenses are particularly dangerous and they
must not be worn in the laboratory.
6. Report all injuries to your instructor at once.
7. Never taste chemicals or solutions.
8. Use the fume hoods at the sides of the laboratory for all poisonous reactions or any
reactions which produce noxious gases.
Note: D770 Perchloric Acid hood is off limits to 2410 and should not be used.
9. When diluting concentrated acid or base always add the concentrated acid or base to
water (never the reverse), while stirring the solution. Be very careful with sulfuric acid.
10. Keep an orderly, clean laboratory desk. Return glassware to the lab drawer when
finished using it to keep the work area from becoming cluttered.
11. Place unneeded books, etc. on the shelves at the side of the laboratory.
12. Waste containers are provided for the disposal of all solid chemicals and paper, etc.
13. Stock reagent bottles are placed on the side bench or beside the balances; leave
them at that position.
14. Always read the label twice before taking any chemical from a bottle. If you are not
sure if you have the right chemical, ask!
15. When pouring reagents, hold the bottle so the label points upwards facing the palm
of the hand. The accumulation of reagent on bottle lip may be removed by touching the
bottle lip to the rim of the receiving vessel.
16. Avoid using an excess of reagent. If you happen to have measured out too much,
see if someone else can use the excess.

17. Due to possible contamination of the contents of a whole stock bottle, never return
unused chemical to the stock bottle.
18. Always check your glassware before you use it. If it is broken or cracked, exchange it
for a new one.
19. There is one Container reserved for broken glass. All broken glassware should be
placed in this crock and no other.
20. If corrosive chemicals or liquids come in contact with the skin or clothing, flood with
copious amounts of water for an extended period of time.
21. Spilled chemicals should be wiped up immediately; spilled acid or base should be
rinsed with plenty of water and wiped up with a sponge and the sponge rinsed after.
22. Inserting glass tubing or thermometers through a rubber stopper - first lubricate the
tube and stopper with glycerol or water, then holding the tube near the end to be inserted
insert slowly while rotating the tube. BE VERY CAREFUL!
23. When you are ready to leave the laboratory, your bench area should be rinsed off
with a wet sponge and the water, gas, and air valves shut off.
24. The chemistry store room is out of bounds to students. If you require apparatus, ask
your instructor for it.

Laboratory Tools and Equipments :

Goggles - protects eyes from chemical splashes

Bunsen burner - used to heat substances
Graduated cylinder accurately measures liquid volumes

Spot plate - a flat plate with multiple "wells" used as small test tubes
Pipet bulb - used to pull liquid up into a pipet
Stirring rod - used for stirring
Evaporating dish - liquids are heated over a flame so that they evaporate, leaving a
solid residue
Crucible tongs - to hold hot crucibles
Forceps - used to pick up or hold small items
Watch glass - to hold solids while being weighed, or as a cover for a beaker
Beaker - used to hold liquids
Thermometer - measures temperature (science uses degrees in Celsius)
Crucible and cover - used to hold small amounts of chemicals during heating at high
temperatures
Test tube clamp - clamp used to hold hot test-tube
Buret - dispensing and transferring known volumes of fluids
Balance - an instrument for determining weight
Dropper pipet - for drawing in a liquid and expelling it in drops
Volumetric flask - for making up solutions to a known volume
Funnel - for pouring liquid or other substance through a small opening
Utility clamp - used to hold laboratory glassware
Mortar and pestle - used to grind up materials
Volumetric pipet - measures small amounts of liquids accurately
Striker - used to light bunsen burner
Rubber stopper - used to cover ends of test tubes and flasks
Spatula - small scoop used to transfer powder and crystal chemicals

Wire gauze - used to support a container (such as a beaker or flask) during heating
Test Tube Rack - holds 5-6 test-tubes in a row
Wash bottle - used to rinse various pieces of laboratory glassware
Ring stand - holds funnels, wire gauze above table
Erlenmeyer Flask - used to hold liquids, has narrow neck to prevent splashes
Ring Clamp - used with ring stand to hold a glass container
Clay Triangle - used to hold a crucible while the crucible is heated
Test tube - open tube used to hold liquids
Weighing Paper - used for weighing and transferring powers and crystals
Filter paper - special paper used to separate solids from liquids
Fume hood - used to prevent a person from exposure to hazardous fumes from chemicals
Hot plate / stir plate - used to heat and stir substances

Submitted by:
Winzel Ann E. Mengote
BSA