Chapter 1
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes matter undergoes There are 5 main branches of chemistry
The study of carbon containing compounds Propane, ethanol, alcohols, fuels, etc
The study of compounds not containing carbon Acids, bases, minerals
The study of the behavior of chemicals Will a compound explode or melt? Will something stretch or break?
The study of the composition of substances Does this sample of blood contain lead or a certain drug?
The study of the chemistry of living organisms Respiration, digestion, amino acids, molecular genetics all require biochemistry
Name some aspects of life that involve chemistry: Chemistry is involved in virtually every aspect of our lives!
3000 years ago: iron from iron ore 500 B.C.: invention of steel Then came materials such as brass, bronze and ceramics
Plastics are made of polymers Polymers = many units Plastics are very large molecules used for many different purposes
Chemistry plays an essential role in the conservation and production of energy.
Solar and wind power Sodium lamps Development of more efficient light bulbs and cars
Photosynthesis Fossil fuels Batteries
Production of medicines Prosthetic and synthetic body parts Transfer of genes in gene therapy
Production of insecticides and herbicides Development of tougher more productive plants through the understanding of plant hormones etc…
Smog Ozone depletion Acid rain Global warming
Analyzing the chemical composition of rocks from the moon. Analyzing the chemical composition of the atmosphere of other planets such as Mars.
Chemists use the Scientific Method when studying anything in chemistry There are 4 main steps to the scientific meth od
observation First, is observation hypothesis Observation leads to an hypothesis experiments After the hypothesis come the experiments
theory Finally, after many experiments and supported hypotheses, comes a theory – a broad explanation scientific law A scientific law is a concise statement to summarize results