Learning Objectives:
- Understand what chemistry is.
- Learn the relationship between chemistry and other branches of science.
- Explore the main disciplines of chemistry.
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the scientific study of matter—anything that has mass and occupies space—its composition, properties, and the changes it undergoes. For example, air is matter; chemistry explores its structure, behavior, and the changes it experiences. You can read more about this topic in Atom: The Building Block of Chemistry.
Chemistry is a branch of science. Science broadly studies nature through observations and experiments. Since the universe is vast, science is divided into various fields such as Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Geology, and Chemistry. Many of these fields overlap, forming interdisciplinary sciences like biochemistry and physical chemistry. You can learn more about this in Chemistry and its Disciplines.
Main Disciplines of Chemistry
Chemistry is divided into five major disciplines:
1. Physical Chemistry
This field studies the physical properties of matter, energy changes, reaction rates, and molecular structures at the atomic level. If you are interested in related topics, check out Stoichiometry: Key Points.
2. Analytical Chemistry
Focuses on analyzing the composition of substances using techniques to identify and quantify material. For more on experimental techniques, read about Calibrating Apparatus to Investigate Errors in Measurement.
3. Organic Chemistry
Deals with the structure, properties, and reactions of carbon-containing compounds, excluding a few exceptions like carbonates and oxides of carbon.
4. Inorganic Chemistry
Focuses on compounds that are not classified as organic, such as salts, minerals, and metals. For a deeper dive into these topics, explore Isotopes: An Overview.
5. Biochemistry
Studies the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. It connects chemistry to biology, particularly in understanding diseases and life processes. Explore more in Free Radicals: Definition and Examples.
Summary
- Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, structure, and the changes it undergoes.
- It is interconnected with other scientific disciplines like biology and physics.
- The five main branches of chemistry are: Physical, Organic, Inorganic, Analytical, and Biochemistry.
For additional fun facts about chemistry, don't miss 5 Amazing and Interesting Facts About Chemistry (Part 1), Part 2, and Part 3!