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Chemistry Global - for use wit… The Chemistry Around Us Branches of Chemistry

Branches of Chemistry

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Identifying the Different Branches of Chemistry

How would you like to have the responsibility of producing the enormously
complex Fourth of July fireworks presentation in Boston? Every color, light,
and sound in the presentation has to be designed and structured. The
placement and timing of the fireworks have to be coordinated. You can be
certain that organizers of these displays understand the chemistry of
fireworks extremely well. The science of using explosive compounds to
produce a fireworks display is called pyrotechnics. Chemists involved in the
pyrotechnic display have to determine how fast the compounds that make up
the fireworks burn. What colors do they produce? How easily do they ignite?
How stable are they to handle?

In fact, it's not only the fireworks that are dependent on chemistry at the
display. The people, the buildings, the grass, and everything else also depend
on chemistry. Everything is composed of chemicals, so chemicals influence
every aspect of our lives. How does chemistry affect the food that we
consume? How is chemistry related to the gasoline used in cars? Could you
taste or smell without chemistry?

Fireworks in Boston
How was chemistry important in producing this fireworks display?

Brushing your teeth, washing your clothes, and cleaning dishes are activities
that involve chemistry. There are very few everyday activities that are not in
some way associated with chemistry. From a scientific perspective, chemistry
is the study of matter and the interaction of matter and energy.

04:30

Introduction to Chemistry
Why is the study of chemistry important in describing things around you?

Fireworks, people, buildings, and gasoline — all involve chemistry, but they
are also very different. They have distinct properties and applications. The
chemistry principles that pertain to them are the same, but they can be
applied in divergent ways. Consequently, the study of chemistry is divided
into different branches. What do you suppose the different branches of
chemistry are?

EXPLAIN QUESTION

What are the branches of chemistry and their related areas

of study?

Your Ideas

Explain three branches of chemistry, and describe the area of study to which each is related.

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Lemon Battery
What branch of chemistry explains how a lemon battery works?

Before You Begin

What do I already know about branches of chemistry?

Branches of Chemistry

An investigation involves studying the heat generated by fuel cells. Which branches of chemistry apply
to this investigation? Select all correct answers.

A. biochemistry


B. electrochemistry


C. organic chemistry


D. thermochemistry

E. nuclear chemistry

Congratulations, you have a good understanding of this content. You will have an opportunity to further increase your
understanding as you complete this lesson.

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Your answer has been submitted to your teacher.

Topics in Chemistry

Match each branch of chemistry listed on the left with an example on the right of a topic covered by it.
Some branches may have more than one match, and some content may have more than one branch
matched to it.

 

Branch of Chemistry Topic Covered by It

analytical chemistry carbon-based compounds

biochemistry chemical components of substances


electrochemistry heat released during reactions of atomic nuclei

nuclear chemistry electric force in chemical compounds and reactions

organic chemistry physics principles applied to the study of chemical systems

physical chemistry thermal changes in chemical processes in living organisms

thermochemistry

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Organic and Inorganic Compounds

Drag each sentence into the correct column to indicate whether each is true or false.

Organic compounds can be natural or synthetic. All inorganic compounds are synthetic.

All compounds in living things are organic. Nonliving things can be organic or inorganic.

All organic compounds contain at least one carbon All compounds that contain a carbon atom are organic.
atom.

Table salt (NaCl) is an organic compound. Gasoline C H is an organic compound.

n 2n + 2

True Statements False Statements

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Find Out More About...

the importance of chemistry in everyday life

research skills helpful for learning about chemistry

02:10

VIDEO SEGMENT IMAGE

Chemistry Links All Branches Evaluating Resources
of Science You need to effectively use internet
What makes up the world around us? and traditional resources to conduct
Why is chemistry important in our research as you learn about the
everyday lives? different branches of chemistry. How
does this resource checklist help you
evaluate the resources you use?

Lesson Question
What are the branches of chemistry and their related areas of study?

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