INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY
When you were in primary school, you used to learn science as a single subject. At this level of study, the subject will be broken up into three related subjects, namely Chemistry, Biology and Physics. The three subjects are closely related. You will require the knowledge of one subject to study the other. For example, you will apply the knowledge of chemistry to study different chemical reactions that take place in the body for studying biology of the human body, etc. Likewise as a biologist, you will need the knowledge of physics to study movements of different limbs of the body, etc. Therefore, these few examples show how the three subjects are interdependent. Chemistry is usually studied along with other related subjects such as biology, physics, earth sciences and mathematics. A person studying science is called a scientist. A scientist specialized in the study of chemistry is called a chemist.
The concept of chemistry
The Concept of Chemistry
Explain the concept of Chemistry
Chemistry is a branch of science that deals with the study of nature, properties and composition of matter. Matter can be defined as anything that has weight or mass and can occupy space. Therefore, in chemistry we study materials that make up the earth and universe. These range from living to non-living materials. We apply the knowledge of chemistry to study the composition, behaviour and nature of materials around us. This study enables us to make the best use of these materials to improve our welfare.
Materials Objects Made by Application of Chemistry
Mention materials objects made by application of chemistry
Chemistry is such an important subject that it is applied in other fields such as agriculture, manufacturing, medicine, processing and food industries, education, cosmetics and home care industries, etc. All these industries are responsible for the production of materials that we need to support and hence improve our lives. Materials made by the application of chemistry knowledge include soap, chalk, shoes, clothes, petroleum products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, drugs, and many others. Can you mention some of the materials made by the application of chemistry knowledge?
This, therefore, means that chemistry is applied in factories, homes, hospitals, pharmacies, research centers, higher learning institutions, etc.
Many products made by the application of chemistry in industry are all around us. Some of these materials are summarized in the table:
Some products made by application of chemistry
| Field where applied | Examples of products |
| Medicine | Drugs, vaccines, nutritional supplements |
| Agriculture | Agro-chemicals ( fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, acaricides), animal drugs and vaccines, animal feed and supplements |
| Manufacturing industry | Vehicles, cement, plastics, chemicals, paints, iron sheets, vanishes, glue |
| Food and beverage industry | Soft and alcoholic drinks, baked food, canned food, spices, cooking oil, salt |
| Home care and cosmetics industry | Cosmetics, detergents, toothpaste, shoe polish, insecticides, antiseptics, disinfectants |
| Transport | Fuels, lubricants, oil, grease, tar, coolants, tyres |
| Textile industry | Clothes, dyes, bleaches, wax, threads |
| Leather industry | Shoes, handbags, belts, leather articles |
