Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry is a branch of science which deals with the study of the structure and composition of matter. Chemistry can also be defined as the science that is concerned with how substances change or combine with each other. Chemists are usually interested in matter. Air, water, and your entire body are all examples of matter. Matter is defined as anything that occupies space and has mass. A person who has special training and knowledge in chemistry is called a chemist. Chemists usually want to know what matter is, what properties matter has that make it useful, and how matter can be changed from one form into another.

Beginning of Chemistry

Two developments marked the beginning of chemistry as a science. The first development was the discovery and explanation of the true nature of combustion in 1774 by an English chemist Joseph Priestley.

Uses of Chemistry

Food:

Chemical processes are designed to preserve and store food for a long period so that it can be exported to distant countries and is available to more people. To fight malnutrition, many foods are now enriched with essential nutrients.

Clothing:

Man-made textile fibers produced as a result of intensive chemical research have made available a wide range of clothing materials which can be bought cheaply.

Military and Space Science:

The duty of the military is defense. The military cannot efficiently do this without chemistry contributing to the discovery and description of chemical substances such as explosives used by the military. The gunpowder used in the earliest guns was made by mixing sulfur, charcoal, and potassium trioxonitrate (V) compound by early chemists.

Housing:

Building materials like cement, steel, bricks, tiles, etc., are produced by chemical industries. The mechanical properties of these materials are a result of chemical research.

Medicine:

The healthy life that many of us enjoy is due to a variety of medicines that are available as a result of chemical research and technology.

Transportation:

Modern transportation is an essential feature for today's world. This rapid development from carts pulled by animals to the latest aircraft was made possible by chemical research.

Adverse Effects of Chemistry

Corrosion of Iron:

Also called rusting and requires the presence of water and oxygen.

Pollution:

Effects of pollution by chemical waste from factories and oil refineries, oil spillage, acid, etc.

Drug Abuse:

Some chemicals are used in making drugs like morphine, cocaine, etc. And some of these drugs are not used for medical treatment.

Careers in Chemistry

• Teaching Services
• Health Services
• Food Processing
• Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries
• Manufacturing Industries
• Agriculture
• Forestry