Why Chemistry?A look at its importance and

its effect on our lives

What is chemistry all about?

Chemistry is defined as “a science that deals with the structure and properties of substances and with the changes that they go through” (Merriam Webster Dictionary).

(It is also cited as meaning an attraction between tow people, but we’ll save that for Life Skills.)

Chemistry has been studied for a long time…

The known metals were first recorded in Babylon in 1700 B. C.

The atom was first named by Democritus in 430 B. C. in Ancient Greece

In 300 B.C., alchemists began trying to change inexpensive, common metals into gold

Is this Chemistry or Magic?

Okay, so alchemy didn’t seem to work, but then chemists started to work on the Elixir of Life, which was supposed to allow people to live longer and to cure all ailments. This didn’t work either, but it does show up in Harry Potter.

Modern ChemistryEventually, chemists focused their efforts on

learning about atoms, elements, compounds, and chemical reactions.

We can learn a lot from this, and we use chemicals each and every day in substances we clean with, medicines that we take, and foods we eat.

For example, chemistry will help to explain a lot more about subjects you have already learned….

Chemistry in BiologyThere is a whole field of science called

Biochemistry. This will help to explain the chemistry used in biological process, such as photosynthesis and digestion.

Chemistry in GeologyAnd remember how caves are formed from

limestone? Guess what…it’s chemistry again.

What will we learn about?Matter

Atoms

The Periodic Table

Chemical Bonds

Gas Laws

Chemical formulas and equations