Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry is the science of matter: its properties, structure, composition, behaviour, reactions, interactions and the changes it undergoes. Chemistry is one of the key branches of Science along with Physics and Biology and is sometimes called “the central science”. It explains the structure and properties of matter as a consequence of the physical properties of chemical substances and their interactions. For example, steel is harder than iron because its atoms are held together in a more rigid crystalline lattice and wood burns because it can react spontaneously with oxygen in a chemical reaction. Chemistry uses quantities like energy and entropy in relation to explain the spontaneity of processes such as sugar and salt dissolving in water. Chemistry includes the design and manufacture, i.e. synthesis, of more complex substances from simpler ones. There are three major branches of Chemistry: organic, physical and inorganic. Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms, and reactions of organic compounds. An organic compound is defined as any compound based on a carbon skeleton. Physical chemistry is the study of the physical and fundamental basis of chemical systems and processes. Important areas of study include rates of reaction, equilibria and energy changes. Inorganic chemistry is the study of the properties and reactions of non-organic compounds. Chemists make discoveries which affect the lives of all of us. For example: how to make plastics from oil; how to make fertilisers to promote the growth of crops; how to make alloys which can resist high stresses and temperatures; how to extract metals from the Earth’s crust; and how to make drugs which will control pain or disease.