Chemistry is a branch of science concerned with studying substances and the compounds that make up that material. It also includes the characteristics of these chemicals and the reactions that occur when they combine to generate new substances. Chemistry is concerned mainly with molecules, atoms and ions, which combine to form chemical elements. Chemical bonds are the most common way for these chemical entities to connect.
It’s important to remember that the interconnections between energy and matter are also studied in chemistry. Organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry are the five major branches of chemistry. Besides these fundamental divisions, chemistry has several speciality areas that handle cross-disciplinary challenges, and some examples are listed below.
- Neurochemistry
- Medicinal chemistry
- Materials chemistry
- Environmental chemistry
- Nuclear chemistry
- Thermochemistry
- Polymer chemistry
Branches of chemistry
The five main branches of chemistry are discussed below.
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the discipline of chemistry that studies matter’s behaviour at the scale of atoms and molecules. It also entails investigating properties of substances at many scales, ranging from the macroscopic level, which comprises particles visible to the human eye, to the subatomic scale, which includes tiny subatomic particles like electrons.
Analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry is a field of chemistry concerned with the examination of various substances. It entails matter identification, separation, and quantification. It involves the application of both ancient and modern approaches, including the use of scientific equipment.
Inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is the discipline of chemistry concerned with studying substances that do not contain carbon(C) or hydrogen(H) atoms. Metals, salts, chemical compounds, and other things that do not include carbon-hydrogen bonding are instances.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the discipline of science that studies all of the life processes within a live organism, such as regulation and coordination. It primarily focuses on the structure and activities of biomolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and acids. Therefore it is also known as molecular biology.
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a discipline of chemistry concerned with the scientific investigation of organic substances containing covalently bound carbon atoms. Organic chemistry focuses on the structure & chemical components of organic molecules, their chemical & physical properties, and the chemical changes that these substances experience.
Aspects of chemistry in our daily lives
Every day, the human species enables thousands and thousands of chemical processes. Chemical reactions are involved in every human action, from the digestive process to muscular movement. A few more illustrations of chemistry in people’s daily lives are given below.
- Soaps and detergents are made using a chemical method as saponification.
- Emulsification is a chemical process that is utilised in soaps and detergents for hygiene.
- Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that allows plants to convert water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. The overall food cycle is constructed based on this mechanism.
- Human sunscreen, which protects individuals from the sun’s harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation, is dependent on chemistry. These lotions and creams are made up of inorganic and organic ingredients that block/filter UV rays.
