Chemistry - Definition, Types, Facts, Chapters, FAQs
Chemistry is the branch of science in which we basically study matter and its scientific study such as its properties, matter composition, structure, and any changes that take part during any physical and chemical reactions. Chemistry is the interlink between physics and biology which helps in understanding the various molecular bases of any phenomenon.
JEE Main 2025: Chemistry Formula | Study Materials | High Scoring Topics | Preparation Guide
JEE Main 2025: Syllabus | Sample Papers | Mock Tests | PYQs | Study Plan 100 Days
NEET 2025: Syllabus | High Scoring Topics | PYQs
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is a branch of science on the subject matter; checking their properties and responses, and using such feedback to construct inventions. Chemistry has different branches in which we study different aspects of chemistry.
History of Chemistry
The history of chemistry is marked by the many discoveries and changes in a paradigm that has changed in shaping our understanding of matter and its transformations. At the time of ancient civilization, people tried to convert ordinary metal into gold and this practice laid the groundwork for future scientific inquiry. After that modern chemistry was invented. The father of chemistry is Antoine Lavoisier he gave the name of oxygen and discovered its role in combustion.
Also read -
- NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry
- NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry
- NCERT Solutions for All Subjects
Scope of Chemistry
Chemistry is a vast field and has diverse scopes such as in the fields of Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Environment Science, Material Science, Energy, and Food Science.
Branches of Chemistry
There are five main branches of chemistry and those are:
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the branch of chemistry in which we study the principles of physics combined with chemistry. In physical chemistry, we study the physical properties of molecules and the changes they undergo during chemical reactions. In this, we focus on the behavior of matter at the molecular levels, applying numerical concepts in kinetics, mechanics, and thermodynamics.
Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry in which we study the carbon-containing compounds. In organic chemistry, we focus on the structure of carbon-containing compounds, reactions related to them, and their synthesis. In organic chemistry, there are a wide variety of compounds including hydrocarbons(made up of carbon and hydrogens only), and other compounds containing nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, and halogens.
Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is a branch of science that deals with the study of inorganic compounds. Inorganic chemistry includes a wide variety of compounds that are not part of organic chemistry. We study the metals, non-metals, coordination compounds, organometallics, and materials in this field.
Analytical Chemistry
Analytical chemistry is that branch of chemistry in which we study the quantitative and qualitative analysis of substances. It includes the techniques that are used to separate, identify, and quantify the chemical substance in different samples. Basically, analytical chemistry determines the composition of materials.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the branch of chemistry that is related to the chemical reactions in the living system. In this, the application of both chemistry and biology are combined to understand the molecular reaction with the biological functions.
NCERT Notes Link:
Chemistry Facts
The only two existing non-silver metals are gold and copper.
Lightning strikes produce ozone.
There is no phosphorus in matches.
Carbon atoms found in graphite can absorb high amounts of kinetic energy.
Unlike all metals, water expands when it freezes.
Glass is a liquid; it just flows slowly.
Glow sticks are a basic catalyst and dye mixed when broken or cracked.
Soaps consist of fatty acid carboxylates when made.
Major Branches of Chemistry
The major branches of chemistry are:
Organic Chemistry
Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons comes under organic compounds whose only components are carbon and hydrogen. A saturated carbon compound may be a hydrocarbon during which all of its carbon atoms are bonded to a minimum of four other atoms and are 'saturated,' implying that the compound contains no carbon-carbon multiple bonds
Related Topic:
| Haloalkanes And Haloarenes | Alcohols, Phenols And Ether |
| Aldehydes, Ketones And Carboxylic Acid | Amines |
| Polymers | Chemistry In Everyday Life |
| Environmental Chemistry | Hydrocarbons |
2. Inorganic Chemistry
Coordination Compounds: Transitional elements/metals (mainly the d-block elements) in chemistry produce a huge number of complex compounds during which metal atoms are bonded to numerous anions (negatively charged ions) or neutral molecules. Coordination compounds, per today's definition, are such compounds. The coordination number is one among the foremost basic notions in complex Chemistry.
Related Topic:
3. Physical Chemistry
Some Basic Concepts in Chemistry: Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the properties, composition, and structure of elements and compounds; how they can change, and the energy that is released or absorbed when they change. Chemistry science deals with the composition, structure and properties of matter. These aspects can be best described and understood regarding the basic constituents of matter: atoms and molecules. That is why it is called the science of atoms and molecules.
Related Topic:
| Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | Structure Of Atom |
| Thermodynamics | Equilibrium |
| States Of Matter | Solutions |
| Electrochemistry | Chemical Kinetics |
| Surface Chemistry |
Real Life Applications and Relevance of Chemistry
Chemistry is related to many aspects in our real life such as:
- Food: Chemistry has a main role in cooking food and food can also spoil by some chemical reaction occur between the food particles.
- Fermentation: There are several products that are formed by fermentation such as beverages like beer and wine and it is totally based on chemical reaction. As it is a real example of chemistry.
- Medicine: Medicine is one of the most common examples of chemistry as it is formed by the chemical reaction. The chemicals or substances used to make medicine are extracted with the help of chemistry.
- Industrial processes: there are a lot of industries such as textile leather, die, paints, petroleum sugar, etc in which all the processes involve chemical applications toward their development and production.
Also, read more chemistry topics:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are changes around us such as sugar dissolving in water, the lake freezing in winter etc. One change is what chemistry scientists call chemical reactions, and others are not. Chemical changes occur when new products are made that are different from what we started with.
Cooking eggs, for example, are an example of a chemical change; egg white and egg yolk change from liquid to solid. Heat makes the egg protein stronger.
Aqua Regia is Kings Water; this is because it has enough power to dissolve gold - the king of metals. It is prepared by mixing three parts hydrochloric acid and one part nitric acid, but in the old days it was prepared for mixing and roasting salt. For example, we can mix two parts niter and one part Sal. Ammonia and distilled at high temperatures from Aqua Regia.
"Sulfuric acid" is also called the king of acids and "Nitric acid" is known as the Queen of acids.
Chemistry is the science that studies the atoms and molecules and their structures. Everything is basically made up of atoms and also molecules. There are basically five major branches of chemistry, namely.
Natural chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Physical chemistry
Biochemistry
Analytical chemistry
Organic chemistry is simply the study of carbon dioxide. Organic chemistry is important because it is the study of life and all life-related chemical reactions. Organic chemistry initially involves the study of chemicals that can be found in living things.
About 7 million organic compounds are currently known while only 1.5 million compounds are known. This large number of organic compounds emanate from the unique carbon field.
Blue vitriol is also known as blue copperas. The word vitriol blue has a strong and clear meaning. Copper sulfate and chemical formula CuSO4.5H2O. The chemical name for vitriol blue is Copper (II) Sulfate Pentahydrate. This salt occurs in the form of a deep rhomboidal prism of deep blue color, with an overly complex taste and done in style.
Similarly, "Green Vitriol" refers to Ferrous Sulphate.
There are 16 chapters given in the NCERT book class 12.
Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, d -and f -Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen, Biomolecules.
In chemistry, there are three parts Organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry.