What do you think of when you hear the word “Chemistry”?

Chemistry is all around us

A world without Chemistry A world without chemistry is a world without anything. Everything in the world, including you, is made up of matter. Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition, and the changes it undergoes when it interacts with other matter.

Branches of Chemistry Organic Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry Study of most carbon-containing compounds. It studies the chemicals of life and their reactions. Inorganic Chemistry The study of all substances not classified as organic, mainly those that do not contain carbon. It studies chemicals unrelated to the activities of life. Physical Chemistry The study of the properties and changes of matter and their relation to energy. It studies the underlying forces which govern chemical reactions.

Theoretical Chemistry Analytical Chemistry The identification of the components and composition of materials. It studies the techniques for qualitative and quantitative determination of chemicals in materials in the environment. Biochemistry The study of substances and processes occurring in living things. It studies the chemical reactions that occur in living systems Theoretical Chemistry The use of mathematics and computers to understand the principles behind observed chemical behavior, as well as to design and predict the properties of new compounds.

Chemistry – A Central Science Chemistry crosses over into other science. It, along with physics and biology, is a central science.

Why Study Chemistry? Phosphorus is essential to life Used as a fertilizer Important part of washing detergent Often used in laundry and dish soap In the 1960s, Lake Erie almost died from growth of algae Algae used phosphorus (and oxygen) to grow and bloom, killing other species. Reduction of phosphorus has led to a recovery of Lake Erie