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Lesson 1
Introduction to Chemistry
Chemistry is referred as the "central science" because it is
interrelated and essential to nearly all science fields. Chemistry is the study
of matter - its composition, properties, and transformations. Chemistry is
everywhere. Everything that we touch, taste, smell, see or feel is
chemistry, from simple to complex substances.
DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Science, over the centuries, has been continuously developing through
trial and error.
Robert Boyle introduced the basic concept about the behavior of gases.
Boyle also helped form the idea that small particles could combine to
form molecules.
Joseph Priestly isolated and characterized several gases including
oxygen, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Nitrous Oxide worked as
an anesthetic.
C.W. Scheele and Antoine Lavoisier also discovered other gases:
chlorine and nitrogen, respectively.
Antoine Lavoisier has been considered the “FATHER OF CHEMISTRY”.
Among other accomplishments, he also discovered the role of oxygen in
combustion and definitively formulated the law of conservation of
matter.
In 1800’s new compounds were discovered and science began to
develop a more theoretical foundation.
John Dalton introduced his atomic theory which gave scientists the idea
that chemistry is in a much more systematic way.
Amedeo Avogadro laid the groundwork for a more quantitative
approach to chemistry by calculating the number of particles in a given
amount of a gas.
Invention of battery by Alessandro Volta
Through the contributions of Humphry Davy and Michael Faraday the
field of electrochemistry elevated.
Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanization.
Louis Pasteur pioneered the use of heat sterilization to eliminate
microorganisms in wine and milk.
Alfred Nobel invented dynamite. The Nobel Awards was named after
him when he died for his contributions in the field of science.
J.W. Hyatt developed the first plastic.
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Leo Baekeland developed the first synthetic resin, widely used for
inexpensive and sturdy dinnerware.
Today, chemistry continues to be of great importance to the development
of new materials and technologies.
Fields of Chemistry
Chemistry is a vast field of science having diverse fields/areas. There are
five main fields/areas of chemistry including:
1. Inorganic Chemistry – the study of chemicals that, in general, are
not primarily based on carbon.
2. Organic Chemistry – the study of carbon and its compounds.
3. Physical Chemistry - the study of macroscopic properties, atomic
properties, and phenomena in chemical systems.
4. Analytical Chemistry - the study of composition of matter. It focuses
on separating, identifying, and quantifying chemicals in samples of
matter.
5. Biochemistry - the study of chemical processes that occur in living
things.
Other fields of Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry – the study concerning radioactivity, nuclear
transformations and processes in the nuclei of atoms.
Theoretical Chemistry – the study that explains and examines
structural and dynamic properties of chemical systems using
mechanics; quantum, classical and statistical mechanics.
Environmental Chemistry – the study of the relationship of the
chemical process occurring in the environment and human activities.
Green Chemistry – the study of designing and application of chemical
products and processes to minimize or to eliminate the use and
generation of hazardous substances.
Importance of Chemistry
Chemistry is important to all living organisms, for they can function
and survived through the chemical processes that undergoes in their
bodies. Digestion, respiration, cell production, reproduction and
excretion are some of the important processes living organisms
undergoes.
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Chemistry is important in the field of medicine; it serves as its
foundation. Through chemical reactions, humans were able to
produce medicines for broad spectrum of illness by utilizing medicinal
plants and animals.
The principles of chemistry explain and give answers to many
phenomena occurring and happening in our everyday living.
1. What is the importance of chemistry in your chosen course?
2. Give one concrete examples or application on the following fields of
chemistry:
a. Environmental Chemistry
b. Green Chemistry
c. Nuclear Chemistry
3. List and describe the important discoveries in the field of science that
developed chemistry into what we have now.
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