GENERAL CHEMISTRY I  Biochemistry

 the study of chemical processes that occur

Chemistry in living things. Research may cover
 is the study of matter – what it consists of, what anything from basic cellular processes up
its properties are, and how it changes. to understanding disease states so that
 Matter is anything that has mass and takes up better treatments can be developed.
space – that is, anything that is physically real. History of Chemistry

The history of chemistry is an interesting and

challenging one. Very early chemists were often
motivated mainly by the achievement of a specific goal
or product.

Making perfume or soaps did not need a lot of theory,

just a good recipe and careful attention to detail. There
was no standard way of naming materials (and no
periodic table that we could all agree on).

It was often difficult to figure out exactly what a

 The relationships between some of the major particular person was using. However, the science
branches of science. Chemistry lies more or less developed over the centuries by trial and error.
in the middle, which emphasizes its importance
to many branches of science. Robert Boyle (1637-1691)

Areas of Chemistry  He developed the basic ideas about the

behavior of gases. He could then describe
The study of modern chemistry has many branches, but
gases mathematically. Boyle also helped form
can generally be broken down into five main disciplines,
the idea that small particles could combine to
or areas of study:
form molecules.
 Physical chemistry John Dalton (1766-1844)
 the study of macroscopic properties,
atomic properties, and phenomena in  Many years later, John Dalton used these ideas
chemical systems. to develop the atomic theory.
 A physical chemist may study such things  put forth his atomic theory in 1807.
as the rates of chemical reactions, the
Dalton's Atomic Theory (1804)
energy transfers that occur in reactions, or
the physical structure of materials at the  All matter is composed of extremely small
molecular level. particles called atoms.
 Organic chemistry  Atoms of a given element are identical in size,
 the study of chemicals containing carbon. mass, and other properties. Atoms of different
 Carbon is one of the most abundant elements differ in size, mass, and other
elements on Earth and is capable of properties.
forming a tremendously vast number of  Atoms cannot be subdivided, created, or
chemicals (over twenty million so far). destroyed.
Most of the chemicals found in all living
organisms are based on carbon. Joseph Priestley (1733-1804)
 Inorganic Chemistry  isolated and characterized several gases:
 the study of chemicals that, in general, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide.
are not primarily based on carbon.  It was later discovered that nitrous oxide
 Inorganic chemicals are commonly found ("laughing gas") worked as an anesthetic. This
in rocks and minerals. One current gas was used for that purpose for the first time
important area of inorganic chemistry in 1844 during a tooth extraction.
deals with the design and properties of
materials involved in energy and C.W. Scheele (1742-1786)
information technology
 chlorine
 Analytical Chemistry
 Analytical chemistry is the study of the Antoine Lavoisier (1743- 1794)
composition of matter. It focuses on
 nitrogen
separating, identifying, and quantifying
 Lavoisier has been considered by many scholars
chemicals in samples of matter
to be the "father of chemistry." Among other
 An analytical chemist may use complex
accomplishments, he discovered the role of
instruments to analyze an unknown
oxygen in combustion and definitively
material in order to determine its various
formulated the law of conservation of matter.
components
 It was used in gasoline, paint, and plumbing
but is now banned due to its link to brain
Amadeo Avogadro (1776-1856)
damage.
 laid the groundwork for a more quantitative  While lead is still used in car batteries, recycling
approach to chemistry by calculating the efforts have significantly reduced its
number of particles in a given amount of a gas. environmental impact. Batteries are now
processed to recover lead, plastic, and acid for
Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) reuse or safe disposal.
 invention of the battery and discovery of  Chemists play a critical role in environmental
methane protection. They analyze the presence of
 the field of electrochemistry harmful substances like lead in various materials
and study how these substances affect human
Humphry Davy (1778-1829) and Michael Faraday (1791- health and the environment.
1867)

 both theoretical and applications

 electrochemistry

The practical aspects of chemistry were not ignored.

The work of Volta, Davy, and Faraday eventually led to
the development of batteries that provided a source of
electricity to power a number of devices.

Charles Goodyear (1800- 1860)

 discovered the process of vulcanization,

allowing a stable rubber product to be produced
for the tires of all the vehicles we have today.

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

Chemistry and Society
 pioneered the use of heat sterilization to
 The development of new materials: Chemists
eliminate unwanted microorganisms in wine
are constantly working to develop new
and milk.
materials with improved properties. This
 Pasteurization
includes everything from stronger and lighter
Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) materials for use in construction to new
materials for use in electronics and medicine.
 invented dynamite. After his death, the fortune
 The development of new medicines: Chemists
he made from this product was used to fund the
play a vital role in the development of new
Nobel Prizes in science and the humanities
medicines. They work to understand how
J.W. Hyatt (1837-1920) diseases work at a molecular level, and then
develop drugs that can target and treat these
 developed the first plastic diseases.
Leo Baekeland (1863-1944)  The understanding of environmental issues:
Chemists are also involved in understanding
 developed the first synthetic resin, widely used and addressing environmental issues. This
for inexpensive and sturdy dinnerware. includes studying the impact of pollution on the
environment, developing new ways to clean up
Chemistry in Agriculture pollution, and developing sustainable energy
sources.
 Crops need three things for good growth: water,
nutrients from the soil, and protection from
predators such as insects. Chemistry has made
major contributions in all three areas.
 Water purification uses a number of chemical
and physical techniques to remove salts and
contaminants that would pollute the soil

Chemistry and the Environment

 Scientists used to dispose of waste carelessly,

dumping it in bodies of water or on land.
However, as the harmful effects of these
chemicals became apparent, dumping was
outlawed.
 Lead is a prime example of a once-common
substance now recognized as highly dangerous.