What is Chemistry? The study of the composition, structure, and properties of matter, the processes that matter undergoes and the energy changes that accompany these processes. It is a physical science; however…. It is the CENTRAL science – a vital part of biology, ecology, physics, and medicine. It is also a part of our everyday lives – the food you eat, gasoline for your car, make up you wear, etc.

What is matter? Anything that has mass and takes up space People Air A desk flowers Examples of things NOT matter: Electricity Thoughts

Mass vs. Weight Mass is the amount of matter in an object and is not dependent upon location. If two objects are the same size, how can you tell which has more mass?

Weight is the measurement of the pull of gravity on an object’s mass Weight is the measurement of the pull of gravity on an object’s mass. Weight can change depending upon where you are!

Now you see it – now you don’t Matter acts at the macroscopic level – what you see with the naked eye Fire

Matter also acts at the microscopic level – you must have a microscope to see it Crystalline Structure Brownian Motion

But MOST chemistry occurs… At the submicroscopic level – so tiny even the most powerful microscopes cannot show it to us. Individual atoms Electron movement

The structure, composition and behavior of all matter can be explained on a submicroscopic level. Chemistry attempts to explain these submicroscopic events that lead to macroscopic observations.

Branches of Chemistry 1. Organic – study of carbon chemicals – gasoline, paints, plastics, fertilizers 2. Inorganic – study of non-carbon containing chemicals –copper sulfate, water

Branches of Chemistry 3. Physical – behavior/changes of matter & the energy changes associated with it. 4. Analytical – components & composition of substances

Branches of Chemistry 5. Biochemistry – matter & processes of living organisms – medicine, drug research, etc. 6. Theoretical chemistry – use of math and computers to understand chemical principles and make future predictions

What is a chemical? Any substance that has a definite composition

Research Basic research – knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Example: migration patterns of penguins Applied research – research to solve a particular problem. Example: alternative fuel sources Technological development – production of products that improve our daily life. Example: computers, cars, cell phones These 3 areas often overlap