CHEMISTRY

THE STUDY OF CHEMISTRY

Chemistry has been called the “central science” because it is important to so
many other fields of scientific study. So, even if you have never taken a chemistry course,
chances are good that you have seen some chemistry. The course in which you are using
it is designed to help you connect pieces of information you have already picked up,
increase your understanding of chemical concepts, and give you a more coherent and
systematic picture of chemistry.
The ultimate goal of introductory college chemistry courses is to help you
appreciate the chemical viewpoint and the way it can help you understand the natural
world. This type of perspective of the world is what enables chemists and engineers to
devise strategies for refining metals from their ores, as well as to approach the many other
applied problems we’ll explore.
CHEMISTRY
Comes from the Latin word kéme, meaning “earth”. It is the science of the
composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, especially of atomic and
molecular systems.
Chemistry is not an isolated discipline , for it merges into physics and biology. It
evolved from the medieval practice of alchemy.
It is the branch of science which deals with the study of matter and the changes
it undergoes.

ALCHEMY
Is commonly thought of as the quest to turn lead or another common starting
material into gold and to find a means to indefinitely prolong human life.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY
Why is chemistry important?
.
If you take chemistry or teach chemistry, you’ll be asked to answer this question.
It’s easy to say chemistry is important because everything is made from chemicals but
there are lot of other reasons why chemistry is a big part of daily life and why everyone
should understand basic chemistry.
If you’ve ever wondered about the question yourself, this selection of answers
from real chemists, teachers, engineers, readers, and students just like you, will give you
an idea of many reasons why chemistry is so vital to our lives.
SOME ANSWERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY
• Chemistry [has] great importance in our daily life. In our [bodies,] chemical reactions are
going on. With the help of chemistry, we are able to cure most deadly or dangerous
diseases. By the study of chemistry, we can learn the biochemical changes going on in
our body.
• Chemistry is very interesting because by learning it we can understand the other sciences
too. This tells us about nutritional values, specimen analysis, toxicity, sampling, and so
many valuable things. So chemistry is around us and inside us. Moreover, with today's
instrumentation and with the help of a large variety of chemical measurements available,
we can get the results of clinical, environmental, occupational health, safety applications,
and industrial analysis.
• It is very important. Chemistry applies in every field of life. Education in chemistry is not
only the source of getting a good job but also a fun and practical way to make life
interesting.
• As the earth originated, chemistry also began to play an important role... Life... began
because of chemicals. Chemistry is everywhere. It is important to know it and to sustain
life on Earth peacefully. Because of all these reasons humans [have become] more
interested and given more importance to it. The mystery of chemistry is always taunting
man to reveal its mystery.

• Without chemistry no life for human beings... Chemistry is the God for all other subjects.

• Chemistry is important because everything around us is made up of chemicals and we

use it in our day-to-day activities—in our house, industry, companies, etc.
• Chemistry is important as it makes us aware of the small secrets of our environment
around us. By studying chemistry, we are able to know the basic mechanisms in our body
in our daily life.

• Environmental chemistry describes various chemical elements present in the

environment their reactions and effects on the environment. It illustrates the major
environmental segments and their interrelationship and significances.

• Besides considering ‘what chemistry is and what one has in mind when he/she thinks of
chemistry,’ the essence of importance of chemistry is hidden in the quintessence that it is
not only the central science but also the mother of sciences and it is the mother that
matters the most in every aspect and all respects.
BRANCHES OF CHEMISTRY
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry that deals with the chemistry of carbon and
living things.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry that deals with the structure and
interactions between inorganic compounds, which are any compounds that aren’t based in
carbon-hydrogen bonds.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY – defined as dealing with the relations between the physical
properties of substances and their chemical formations along with their changes.
BIOCHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical reactions that occur
inside living organisms.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry involved with studying the properties of
materials or developing tools to analyze materials.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry associated with soil, air, and water
and of human impact on natural systems.
NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry associated with nuclear reactions and
isotopes.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry that involves the study of chemical
reactions in a solution at the interface between an ionic conductor and an electrical
conductor.
GEOCHEMISTRY – the study of chemical composition and chemical processes
associated with the Earth and other planets.
PHOTOCHEMISTRY – branch of chemistry concerned with interactions between light and
matter.
THERMOCHEMISTRY – the study of thermal effects of chemical reactions and the
thermal energy exchange between processes.
MATTER
Is anything that occupies space and has mass. It is composed of tiny particles
called atoms. There are presently 106 different kinds of atoms (elements) known in which
each of these is represented by a symbol.
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
PROPERTIES – are characteristics that differentiate a substance from all other
substances.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES – are properties that can be observed without the substance
changing into other substances.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES – are properties that can be observed only when a substance
changes into a new substance.
INTRINSIC PROPERTIES [INTENSIVE PROPERTIES]
– are properties of the substance that do not depend on the amount of the
substance. Example: boiling point, color, density, hardness, melting point, taste, etc.
EXTRINSIC PROPERTIES [EXTENSIVE PROPERTIES]
– are properties of the substance that are dependent on the amount of the
substance. Example: length, mass, surface area, weight, width, volume, etc.
EXOTHERMIC CHANGES – are physical or chemical changes which causes energy
release from the substance to the surroundings.
ENDOTHERMIC CHANGES – are physical or chemical changes in which energy is
absorbed by the substance.
Physical Change – occurs when a substance changes its appearance without
changing its composition. Example: transformation of ice to water
Chemical Change – occurs when a substance changes into another substance
with a totally different composition and properties. It is sometimes referred to a chemical
reaction. Example: Burning of plastic.
ROLE OF CHEMISTRY TO ENGINEERS

“The science of today is the technology of tomorrow”

Changes in the engineering education are necessary to address the rapidly
changing needs of our society. One of the changes could be introducing electives of basic
science in the higher semesters, as science is the backbone of engineering.
An engineering graduate is expected to apply the knowledge of science and
mathematics to solve problems of the society.
In this article the role of chemistry in engineering education is emphasized, as
chemistry is very important and also the most neglected basic science.
Chemistry and basic sciences in general are not cultural complements but form a
truly important basis in order to produce a work force of versatile and open minded
engineering professionals, able to adapt to scientific and technological innovations.
It is important to design the programs with relevant chemistry subjects for the
integral education of the students, with a real link to the engineering subjects.
IDEAS ABOUT CHEMISTRY FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

• Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to solve technical problems and
create new systems, products or devices to benefit civilization.

• Mechanical engineering is on of the broadest and most versatile discipline of engineering. It

involves the design, production, analysis and maintenance of mechanical systems. Except
design, chemistry plays a very important role in all other mechanical engineering fields.

• Is chemistry required for mechanical engineering?

To keep it short and simple, no, mechanical engineering does not require much
chemistry. ... You can choose to take more chemistry courses to better your understanding of
the chemical nature of the materials you are using in your mechanical classes however that does
teeter over the line on Material engineering

• Can a mechanical engineer work as a chemical engineer?

• Can a mechanical engineer to work as a chemical process engineer?
Lots of mechanical engineers are hired by chemical companies to work on the chemical
processes. Mechanical engineers are needed to help with the materials used, in designing
the mechanical equipment, and lots of other related processes.
• Is chemistry used in mechanical engineering?
Industrial chemistry involves the development and optimization of various industrial
chemical processes, with a focus on the fundamental chemistry of the processes. Mechanical
engineering applies the principles of physics and materials science to the design
of mechanical systems.

• What is the main purpose of mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineers design power-producing machines, such as electric generators,
internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such
as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineers design other machines inside
buildings, such as elevators and escalators.

• What is the difference between chemical engineering and mechanical engineering?

• What is the major difference between Chemical engineering and mechanical engineering?
Chemical Engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the design and
operation of industrial chemical plants. Mechanical Engineering is the branch
of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and use of machines.