General Introduction

Introduction

Chemistry is one of the most important and basic branches of science that generally deals with the composition, formulas, applications, and properties of several different components that together make life possible on earth. In simple terms, Chemistry is referred to as a systematic study of the universe, the functions of the universe, its structure, and other important components that are a part of everyday life. Today, we will give you general introduction study material, which also covers the branches of Chemistry, its scope, and much more in detail.

What is Chemistry?

Chemistry is a branch of science whose major focus is on the complete study of matter, composition, formulas, applications, and properties of several different substances. Chemistry also talks about the properties and reactions of these substances, which further gives rise to other substances. Chemistry majorly deals with ions, molecules, and atoms, which, in turn, make up compounds and elements. Through different chemical bonds, these chemical species interact with one another. It is important to note that in the field of Chemistry, the interactions between energy and matter are also studied. During the 20th century, several critical advances took place in comprehending the complex Chemistry of living organisms. Since the past many years, nearly 8,000,000 different chemical substances have come into existence which includes both artificial and natural. Whereas, in the year 1965, the number was less than 500,000. This shows that recently, a significant amount of changes have taken place. Apart from this, the general introduction of Chemistry is also concerned with the formation of natural substances and the utilisation of those already present. Today, liquid crystals, vinyl, Teflon, superconductors, and semiconductors represent the fruits of chemical technology. Fermentation, glass making, Cooking, and metallurgy are common chemical processes that started at the beginning of civilization.

Relationship Between Chemistry and Other Branches of Science

Due to the complexities involved, it has been further divided into multiple disciplines that majorly deals with several aspects of the universe. There are three major subcategories of science in which these disciplines are grouped. These include- 

• The Formal Sciences – The formal sciences mainly deal with the study of language disciplines regarding formal systems. Common examples of the formal sciences include logic and mathematics.
• The Natural Sciences – The natural sciences primarily deal with the study of natural phenomena achieved through observations and regular experimentation. Biology, Chemistry, and physics fall under The natural sciences category of science.
• The Social Sciences – The social sciences mainly deal with the study of human societies. Common examples of it include sociology, psychology, and economics.

Branches of Chemistry

Chemistry is further divided into five major branches. These include Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and BioChemistry. Let’s understand each of these branches in detail-

• Physical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry can be defined as one of the most critical branches of Chemistry, which mainly includes the study of matter behaviour at a molecular or atomic level. Physical Chemistry mainly deals with the properties of substances at different scales, from the subatomic scale that involves extremely small subatomic particles, including electrons, to the macroscopic scale that includes particles easily visible through the naked eye.

• Analytical Chemistry

The next important branch of Chemistry is analytical Chemistry. Analytical Chemistry is a critical Chemistry branch that majorly deals with analysing certain substances. It involves identification, quantification, and the separation of matter. Two common methods are used in Analytical Chemistry. These include the Classic method and Instrumental method.

• Inorganic Chemistry

The next branch of Chemistry is inorganic Chemistry, which majorly deals with the study of compounds and does not contain carbon-hydrogen atoms. On this planet, there are nearly 100,000 Inorganic compounds.

• Organic Chemistry

The next crucial branch of Chemistry is organic Chemistry which mainly involves the scientific study of organic compounds. It deals with the physical and chemical properties of organic compounds, the structure and chemical composition of organic compounds, and the chemical reactions undergone by these compounds.

• Biochemistry

The last branch of Chemistry is biochemistry. It mainly deals with the study of all life processes, including coordination and control within a living organism. Apart from these five critical branches of Chemistry, there are several other branches of Chemistry that majorly deal with cross-disciplinary matters. Some of the common examples include NeuroChemistry, Materials Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Nuclear Chemistry, ThermoChemistry, and Polymer Chemistry.

Examples of Chemistry in Daily Lives

Every day, hundreds of chemical reactions take place around us. Not just our surroundings, thousands of reactions take place in our bodies. From the movement of muscles to the digestion of food, all bodily actions involve some reaction or another. Below, we have listed some common examples of Chemistry from our day-to-day lives. Let’s have a look-

• The entire food chain is an example of Chemistry. The process of photosynthesis, where a plant converts carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight into oxygen and glucose, is a chemical reaction.
• Detergents and soap, which we use every day for hygiene purposes, work through the chemical process termed emulsification.
• Sunscreen used every day to protect from harmful UV rays is also based on Chemistry.

Conclusion

Chemistry is the basic branch of science that makes life possible on earth. Today, in this article, we studied Chemistry in length. We also talked about several branches of chemistry and science in general and several real-life examples of Chemistry. We hope this General introduction study material helped you understand the related concepts.