The Chemistry Book

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What is Chemistry?

Numerous definitions exist for chemistry. Many begin with the idea that chemistry is a science that studies matter and energy and its interactions. Immediately we have a problem because this definition includes other ideas that need to be defined. To get around this problem, we should describe chemistry.

Brown, LeMay and Bursten suggested that chemistry is the central science because chemistry touches so many other subjects. Chemistry has its roots with the medieval practice of alchemy, which had two goals: to try to turn substances into gold and to prolong life.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter, energy, and their interactions.

Chemists focus on four areas^[1]:

1. the structure and behavior of atoms (elements)
2. the composition and properties of compounds
3. the reactions between substances with their accompanying energy exchange
4. the laws that unite these phenomena into a comprehensive system.

Chemistry helps you understand things around you, for instance: Why does a cake rise? or Where does rain come from? ^[2] Questioning why or how things happen and creating an experiment to answer or research your question is a step toward learning more about something. This is called the scientific method.

Branches of Chemistry

History of Chemistry

According to The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry by Muir in 1902, "No branch of science has had so long a period of incubation as chemistry." In fact, the history of chemistry begins during the prehistoric times with the desire to understand and explain fire.^[3] For ease of understanding the long duration of history behind chemistry, historians tend to describe chemistry in terms of four major milestones: Ancient Greek society, dark ages (Alchemy), birth of chemistry (Early chemists), and modern chemistry.

Featured Scientist

'Thomas Midgley, Jr. (May 18, 1889 - November 2, 1944) was an American chemist. He developed both the tetra-ethyl lead (TEL) additive to gasoline (leaded gasoline) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Both are considered harmful to Earth. He contracted polio at the age of 51. Bedridden, he developed a series of strings and pulleys to move the bed and died strangled by his invention.

References