SSS 1: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY is a branch of pure science that deals with the study of the nature, structure, composition, properties, and uses of matter. The scientist who studies chemistry is called a CHEMIST
BRANCHES OF CHEMISTRY
The three main branches of chemistry are
1. Physical chemistry
2. Organic chemistry
3. Inorganic chemistry
Physical chemistry deals with the physical aspects of chemistry such as quantum theory, heat, electricity, etc.
Organic chemistry deals with the
study of carbon and its compounds
Inorganic chemistry deals with the
study of elements, their properties, and uses
REASONS FOR STUDYING CHEMISTRY
The reasons for studying chemistry are:
1. To acquire knowledge about the matter
2. To give training in the scientific
method
3. To meet basic needs such as food,
clothing, shelter, health, etc
4. To provide solutions to problems
5. To explore new things which are unknown to mankind.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The scientific method is also known as
scientific discovery. It is defined as a way of studying problems objectively
to establish facts through testing and experimentation.
The scientific methods include:
1. Observation
2. Hypothesis
3. Experiment
4. Theory
5. Scientific law or principle.
Observation: Observation involves
the use of senses to perceive what is happening in the environment.
Hypothesis: Hypothesis means to put
forward a reasonable explanation for an observation.
Experiment: The experiment is a
scientific procedure undertaken to demonstrate a known fact.
Theory: Theory is a set of
principles on which the practice of an identity is based. A theory is
established when a hypothesis has been tested and found to be correct within
the limited available evidence.
Scientific law: Scientific law is a
statement that confirms the hypothesis after extensive tests. A theory that has
been extensively tested and proven correct without any exception becomes a
scientific law.
USES OF CHEMISTRY
Chemistry has contributed greatly toward
providing our basic needs and improving the quality of life through:
1. Provision of food I.e
through the use of fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides in agriculture to
boost crop production
2. Provision of clothing with
the help of man-made textile fibers.
3. Provision of modern means of transportation
4. Provision of drugs and other medical
usages
5. Provision of modern-day housing materials.
6. Provision of military ammunition
7. Provision of knowledge in space science
CAREER PROSPECT IN CHEMISTRY
There is a wide range of career opportunities
for those who study chemistry at any level. Individuals can choose a career
from different fields such as
1. Science education
2. Pharmaceuticals or drug development.
3. Mining and metallurgy
4. Chemical engineering
5. Petroleum and petrochemical engineering
6. Medicine and Surgery
7. Quality control
8. Medical analysis/ Forensic medicine.
9. Environmental Chemistry
10. Science laboratory technology
11. Biochemistry etc.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CHEMISTRY
The adverse effects of chemistry include
1.Rusting
2.Pollution
3.Drug abuse
Rusting is also known as corrosion of iron.
It is defined as the interaction of Iron with air and water to produce
rust
Features of rusting
- Rusting is
an oxidation process
- Rusting of
iron takes place in the presence of oxygen and moisture
- the rust formed
is reddish-brown
- the major constituent of rust is hydrated iron (lll) oxide (Fe2O3)
- rusting is similar to burning
Prevention of
rusting
Ways of preventing rusting include:
1. Alloying
2. Galvanization
3. Electroplating
4. Cathodic protection
ASSIGNMENT
1. Explain the following:
(a) Galvanization (b) Electroplating
2. What is an alloy?
3. In a tabular form, give five (5)
examples of alloys and their constituent elements
4. When does a theory become a scientific
law?
5. State the components of gun power used
in
(a) Earliest gun (b) modern gun
Comments
Post a Comment