Chemistry is the study of the building blocks of all matter and the interactions between them. Physics focuses on physical changes, forces and energy. Chemistry takes that knowledge to see how matter is made up and changes in that matter. Biology completes the field of science by looking at living things and the effects chemical and physical changes have on them.
Telescopic Thinking
To understand chemistry you must develop “telescopic thinking”. First look at a change that is happening in front of you: an egg being fried, clothes being cleaned or a fire burning. Then, in your imagination, you must zoom in, down to the molecular level to see what is happening to cause the changes you see in reality. How is this done?
Elements, Compounds, Reactions
Chemists use various tools to do this important science. First is the understanding that all matter is made up of combinations of elements of which there are just over a hundred. Then there is the knowledge of the way these elements bond to one another to make compounds. Finally is the study of how these molecules react with other molecules in chemical reactions.
Dangerous and Smelly?
Aren’t chemical dangerous smelly things that we could do without? Not all of them! Whatever you can touch, taste or smell is a chemical. All matter in the whole universe is made up of chemicals. Whenever anything changes, and energy is produced or consumed, chemistry is happening. Chemistry is important, chemicals are important. Without chemistry there would be no life on earth.
Branches of Chemistry
There are traditionally three branches of Chemistry.
Physical Chemistry has to do with how fast chemical reactions go and the physical changes that happen when chemicals react.
Organic Chemistry deals with the chemistry of carbon-based chemicals. Living organisms contain mainly carbon-based chemicals because of the versatility of carbon atoms. Organic chemistry deals with hydrocarbon fuels, plastics, alcohols, solvents and many other substances related to everyday living.
Inorganic Chemistry studies the chemistry of all the chemicals which are not organic. This includes metals, salts, acids, and many other chemicals without which life would not be like it is today.
Periodic Table
One indispensable tool for the chemist is the periodic table. This table groups all the elements according to the way they are made up and their properties. The discovery of patterns in the properties of elements revolutionised the study of chemistry and the Periodic Table is foundational to all study of Chemistry.
In the Chemistry section of Suite 101 you will find a growing collection of articles explaining as simply as possible this fascinating subject.
