Chemistry

Course summary

At its heart, Chemistry is the study of matter. It is about how elements combine to make compounds, how atoms and molecules interact both with each other and with electromagnetic radiation, and about how all this is facilitated by the movement of electrons. It helps us answer a vast array of questions. Why are some substances coloured and others are not? Why do different materials have such dramatically different properties? Why do some reactions take place really quickly and others really slowly, if at all? Modern chemistry plays an essential role in how we diagnose, treat and cure medical conditions, how the composition of the atmosphere and the oceans are changing and how we can maximise the efficiency of industrial and agricultural processes.