What is Chemistry?
the study of matter
and its changes
Areas of Chemistry
• Organic
• Inorganic
The study of most carbon-containing compounds
The study of all substances not classified as organic,
mainly those compounds that do not contain carbon
• Analytical
The identification of the components and composition
of materials
• Physical
The study of the properties, changes, and relationships
between energy and matter
• Biochemistry
The study of substances and processes occurring in
living things
Areas of Chemistry
organic
the study of carboncontaining
compounds
inorganic
everything except
carbon
e.g., compounds
containing metals
physical
measuring physical
properties of
substances
e.g., the melting
point of gold
biochemistry
the chemistry of
living things
Stereotypes of Chemists
•
•
•
•
•
Male
Middle-aged
White
Lab coat
Nerd / Geek
Careers in Chemistry
•
•
•
•
•
•
research (new products)
production (quality control)
development (manufacturing)
chemical sales
software engineering
teaching
Careers in Chemistry
research (new products)
production (quality control)
development (scale up manufacturing processes)
chemical sales
software engineering
Pharmacist
teaching
The skills you will develop by an earnest study of
chemistry will help you in any career field.
chemistry: the study of matter and its changes
Areas of Chemistry
organic: the study of carbon-containing compounds
inorganic: studies everything except carbon (e.g., metals)
biochemistry: the chemistry of living things
physical: measuring physical properties of substances
Biological Compounds
Biological
Compounds
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
a polymer
composed of
amino acids
a simple sugar or
a polymer composed
of simple sugars
a fat, an oil,
a wax, or a
steroid
a polymer composed of
a sugar, an organic base,
and phosphoric acid
Biochemical compounds can be classified as one of the following: protein, carbohydrate, lipid, or nucleic acid.
Corwin, Introductory Chemistry, 2005, page 551
Government Regulation of Chemicals
…to protect the…
environment
EPA
consumer
Consumer Product
Safety Commission,
USDA, BATF, FDA
worker
OSHA
A Career in the Field of
Chemistry
• Research Chemist
• Chemist who works in Development
Production Chemists and
Technicians
• Other Jobs for Chemists
– Chemical sales, software engineering, patent
law, teaching
The skills you will develop by an earnest
study of chemistry will help you in any
career field.
The Scope of Chemistry
-- petroleum products
gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, heating oil, asphalt
-- synthetic fibers
nylon, polyester, rayon, spandex
-- pharmaceuticals
medicines, cancer drugs, VIAGRA
1 in 10,000 new products gets FDA approval
-- bulk chemical manufacturing
#1 chemical = sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
All fields of endeavor are affected by chemistry.
The Scope of Chemistry
bulk chemical manufacturing
acids, bases, fertilizers
petroleum products
fuels, oils, greases, asphalt
pharmaceuticals
1 in 10,000 new products
gets FDA approval
synthetic fibers
nylon, polyester, rayon, spandex
Research
Basic Research
– Carried out for the sake of increasing knowledge
– Driven by curiosity or a desire to know
– Roy Plunkett ‘discovers’ Teflon is a nonstick material
Applied Research
– Carried out to solve a specific problem
– Safer refrigerant that does not harm ozone layer
Technological Development
– Production and use of products that improve our quality of life
– Computer chips, biodegradable materials, catalytic converters
for automobiles
Forensic
Scientist
Arson is suspected in the burning of this house.
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•
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•
Use science to solve crimes
Arson investigation
DNA fingerprinting
Luminol test for blood
Gasoline, paint, and bottled
gas are extremely volatile.
The Scope of
Chemistry
The chemical industry has a large effect
on our lives.
• bulk chemical manufacturing
• synthetic fibers
• petroleum products
• pharmaceuticals
• ALL fields of endeavor are affected by
chemistry.
Starting Yearly Salaries
Chemist
vs. Communications
BS
MS
PhD
$45,400
$53,500
$66,000
BS
MS
PhD
Related Occupations: Chemical Engineering, biological scientist,
chemical technologist, physicists, medical scientists
Physician
Resident
Earning
$30,753 - $41,895
$120,000 - $240,000
1998 Average Salaries
All fields of endeavor
are affected by chemistry.
World of Chemistry
The Annenberg Film Series
VIDEO ON DEMAND
Episode 1 - The World of Chemistry
The relationships of chemistry to the other sciences
and to everyday life are presented.
The world of chemistry is introduced by providing highlights of key sequences and themes from
programs in the series. The relationships of chemistry to the other sciences and to everyday life
are presented.
Running Time: 28:38