Introduction to Chemistry · 6 min read
What chemistry is and why it matters
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Welcome to Chemistry
Chemistry is a very exciting subject that helps us understand how things are made. Think about the garri you soak, the petrol you put in your generator, or the soap you use to bath. All these things involve chemistry.
Everything around us is made of matter. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Chemistry looks at what matter is made of and how it changes from one form to another.
Simply put, it is the science that tells us what things are made of and how they behave.
Branches of Chemistry
To make it easier to study, we divide chemistry into three main parts:
Organic Chemistry: This is the study of substances containing carbon, like kerosene, plastics, and food.
Inorganic Chemistry: This deals with substances that do not usually contain carbon, like metals, salts, and minerals.
Physical Chemistry: This explains the 'why' and 'how' behind chemical reactions, using math and physics.
Importance of Chemistry
Chemistry is everywhere in our daily lives in Nigeria. Without chemistry, we would not have many things we enjoy today.
Healthcare: Chemists make medicines like Paracetamol and Antimalarials to keep us healthy.
Agriculture: Farmers use fertilizers and pesticides to grow more food for the market.
Industry: Factories use chemistry to turn crude oil into petrol, diesel, and cooking gas (LPG).
Environment: It helps us treat borehole water so it is safe to drink.
Physical and Chemical Changes
Chemistry also studies how matter changes. There are two types of changes you must know:
1. Physical Change: This is a change where no new substance is formed. It is usually easy to reverse. For example, when ice melts into water or when you dissolve sugar in water.
2. Chemical Change: This is a change where a brand new substance is formed. It is very hard to reverse. For example, when you burn a piece of paper to ashes or when your food digests in your stomach.
In simple terms, it is a change where the substance stays the same but only looks different.
Key points
- •Chemistry is the study of matter and its changes.
- •Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
- •The three main branches are Organic, Inorganic, and Physical chemistry.
- •Chemical changes create new substances, while physical changes do not.
- •Chemistry is vital for medicine, farming, and fuel production.