Since the beginning, man has been subjected to a changing environment. He has shown a strong interest in discovering more about his surroundings and in researching and analyzing the events taking on all around him. His passion led him to undertake research through experiments and observations. It has also overseen several individuals’ international research projects throughout the years. For the benefit of humanity, the information gathered in this manner had to be organized and systematized.
Science is the term given to this information or knowledge. So, this organized knowledge that humans have gained through observations and experimentation is referred to as science. Science is divided into many parts due to its vast nature.
Chemistry is the branch of science that studies matter’s composition, properties, constituents, and investigation of the reactions they go through and the use of such reactions to form new substances. Chemistry also has been classified further based on the specialized fields of research.
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- Examples and Applications of Chemistry in Daily Life
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What is Chemistry?
Chemistry studies substances’ characteristics, physical and chemical makeup, changes they undergo, and the energy released or absorbed during the reactions.
Every substance that exists on Earth be it natural or artificially produced is made up of fundamental units known as atoms. These atoms are also composed of elementary particles but are referred to as the structural and basic units of chemical substances.
Chemistry covers the composition of compounds, their uses and how are they utilized along with the formation of new compounds by a combination of two or more substances.
Processes like cooking, fermentation, glass making, and metallurgy are all chemical processes. Semiconductors, liquid crystals, Teflon, and superconductors are all products of advancement in chemical technology.
Branches of Chemistry
Chemistry is divided into five branches as follows:
- Physical Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry
This branch of chemistry deals with the interactions and transformations of materials. It attempts to quantify, correlate, and explain the quantitative features of reactions by focusing, in contrast to other fields, on the physics principles that underlie all chemical interactions (such as the gas laws). It is a blend of physics and chemistry to study elements in a better way.
We can understand how molecules and atoms combine to form particular molecules within the discipline of physical chemistry. We can also learn different things about the matter such as how it changes from solid to liquid.
Organic Chemistry
This branch of chemistry deals with the study of structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials i.e. the substances that contain carbon atoms. The chemicals studied under this branch include hydrocarbons(compounds having carbon and hydrogen only) as well as substances containing carbon along with other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and halogens.
Organic Compounds constitute the majority of earthy life substances and chemicals.
Inorganic Chemistry
This branch includes the study of non-carbon elements along with some organometallic compounds. It majorly covers substances that are not carbon-based. Inorganic compounds are mainly ionic compounds, which are made up of cations and anions joined by ionic bonds. Inorganic compounds include the study of oxides, carbonates, sulfates, and halides.
Analytical Chemistry
This branch focuses on the methods and types of equipment to separate and quantify matter. It includes several techniques to observe and analyze substances such as separation, identification, or quantification. The methods used in this branch may be classical methods, wet chemical methods, and modern instrumental methods.
Biochemistry
This branch of chemistry studies the chemical substances and the chemical processes and reactions that take place in plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is the branch that deals with the chemistry of life.
Examples and Applications of Chemistry in Our Daily Lives
Chemical reactions are always taking place around us. The human body is made up of chemical substances. Our human body is 70% water. The way we react to situations is all because of the chemical reactions of hormones. From the digestion of food to how we think, we are surrounded by chemistry and chemical reactions. A few applications of chemistry in our daily lives are given below :
- The process of photosynthesis through which plants make food and water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide is converted to glucose and oxygen is a chemical reaction.
- Soaps and detergents are used to remove filth and how they work and clean substances are chemical reactions. These won’t exist without chemistry involved.
- Medicines are chemical compounds that heal humans from diseases and infections.
- Packed foods are another example of chemicals being used in our daily lives.
Free Chemistry Study Material
CBSE Chemistry Notes
CBSE Notes for Class 8 Chemistry
CBSE Notes for Class 9 Chemistry
CBSE Notes for Class 10 Chemistry
CBSE Notes for Class 11 Chemistry
CBSE Notes for Class 12 Chemistry
FAQs on Chemistry
Q1: What is the periodic table?
Answer:
A periodic table is a tabular representation in which all the known chemical elements are arranged in horizontal rows called periods and vertical columns called groups based on their atomic number and atomic structure respectively.
Q2: Why is water called the universal solvent?
Answer:
It is called universal solvent because it can dissolve maximum number of substances than any other liquid in nature.
Q3: Chemistry has how many branches?
Answer:
Chemistry is divided into five branches such as physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry.
Q4: What is ph value?
Answer:
It is a value that ranges from 0-14 which tells us how acidic or basic a substance is .
Q5: Which compound is known as the Plaster of Paris?
Answer:
Calcium Hemihydrate(CaSO4.1/2H2O is known as Plaster of Paris(POP).
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Last Updated :
30 May, 2023
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