12/03/2021
The Study of Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties, and transformation of matter.
Learning Objective
State the general aims and subject matter of chemistry
Key Points
Chemistry is sometimes called "the central science," because it bridges physics with other natural sciences, such as geology and biology.
Chemistry is the study of matter and its properties.
Sub-domains of chemistry include: analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biophysical chemistry.
Key Terms
chemistry
The branch of science that deals with the composition and constitution of substances and the changes that they undergo as a consequence of alterations in the constitution of their molecules.
matter
Something that has mass and takes up space (has volume) and makes up almost everything in the world.
Chemistry is the study of matter and the chemical reactions between substances. Chemistry is also the study of matter's composition, structure, and properties. Matter is essentially anything in the world that takes up space and has mass. Chemistry is sometimes called "the central science," because it bridges physics with other natural sciences, such as geology and biology.
History of Chemistry
A basic chemical hypothesis first emerged in Classical Greece when Aristotle defined the four elements of fire, air, earth, and water. It was not until the 17th and 18th centuries when scientists such as Robert Boyle (1627-1691) and Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794) began to reshape the old alchemical traditions into a rigorous scientific discipline.
Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier
Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier is considered the "father of modern chemistry" for his work on the principle of conservation of mass and for developing a new system of chemical nomenclature.
As one of the natural sciences, chemistry provides scientists with insight into other physical sciences and powerful analytical tools for engineering applicat