What is Chemistry?: Study with Video Lessons, Practice Problems & Examples

Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, and the changes it undergoes, serving as a central science that connects various scientific disciplines. It links biology, medicine, physics, and environmental sciences, illustrating how these fields orbit around chemistry. Key concepts include the acid-base indicator, activation energy (E_act), and the role of enzymes in reactions. Understanding these connections enhances comprehension of complex systems, emphasizing the interdependence of scientific knowledge.

What is Chemistry? Concept 1

Now as you start to learn about chemistry, you may ask yourself, what exactly is chemistry? Well, chemistry is the study of matter, its nature, properties, and the changes it undergoes. When I say the term matter, that's just anything that occupies space because it has volume and mass. And when it comes to chemistry, it serves as a central science and foundation that links together other scientific disciplines. So when you click on the next video, you'll see how chemistry plays a central role in our understanding of other types of sciences.

What is Chemistry? Concept 2

As I stated in the last video, chemistry serves as the central science that links together other scientific disciplines. So if we take a look here, we have chemistry in the center. From it, we can see that it's connected to all these other types of subjects. Each one of these subjects has an umbrella scientific discipline connected to it. So, for example, in the first one, we have anatomy, physiology, and genetics. This is under the umbrella of biology. So there's a direct connection between chemistry and biology, and biology and chemistry both ways. Biology is also connected to these other disciplines. We could think of the chemistry itself serving as the sun and all of these scientific disciplines, the planets that orbit it. They're connected to one another because they're part of the same solar system, and they're all connected to the Sun because they orbit the Sun. Alright.

So for the next one, we're going to go around this. We have molecular biology, immunology, endocrinology, and genetic engineering. This is all under biochemistry. So biology and chemistry mixed together. Next, we have here, pharmacology, nutrition, clinical chemistry, and radiology. This is actually part of medicine and allied health sciences. Here we have radiochemistry, body imaging, and nuclear chemistry. This is because nuclear medicine, which is part of nuclear chemistry. Alright. Coming over, we have quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, material science, and biomechanics. This one is a little bit off from the other ones because it's so heavily math-based. This is our friend, Physics. Next, we have our Physical Sciences, which is part of Geology. Then we have ecology and pollution studies, so this is part of our environmental sciences. Then here, moving up, we have botany and agronomy. We're talking about agriculture here, so this would be our let's see, plant sciences. So these would represent our different types of scientific disciplines, which orbit our central science of chemistry. Now, of course, if you consult one of these other scientific disciplines that people majoring in them, they'll say, no, they're the major part and everything branches off of them. So just realize at the end of the day, they're all connected to one another.

What is Chemistry? Example 1

So just a name for the science that studies the motor functions and responses of the Venus flytrap. Here, if we take a look at our options, we have biochemistry, physics, plant sciences, and health sciences. Well, we know that the Venus flytrap is one of those pretty famous types of plants. We might have seen images of it basically devouring insects, spiders, even frogs depending on the size of the Venus flytrap itself. Because it's a famous type of plant, it would make sense that it would fall under plant sciences. That means option c is our correct answer.

Suggest a name for the science that studies the physics of rocks and the earth.

• A. Geology
• B. Biology
• C. Environmental Science
• D. Nuclear Chemistry

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What is chemistry and why is it considered the central science?

Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, and the changes it undergoes. It is considered the central science because it connects various scientific disciplines such as biology, medicine, physics, and environmental sciences. This interconnectedness allows for a comprehensive understanding of complex systems. For example, biochemistry links chemistry and biology, while physical chemistry connects chemistry and physics. Understanding chemistry provides a foundation for exploring other scientific fields, making it essential for a holistic scientific education.

How does chemistry relate to biology?

Chemistry and biology are closely related through the field of biochemistry, which studies the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. For instance, understanding the structure and function of DNA, proteins, and enzymes requires knowledge of chemical principles. Additionally, metabolic pathways, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis are all biochemical processes. This relationship highlights how chemical reactions underpin biological functions, making chemistry fundamental to understanding biological systems.

What are some key concepts in chemistry that are essential for understanding other sciences?

Key concepts in chemistry essential for understanding other sciences include the acid-base indicator, activation energy (E_act), and the role of enzymes in reactions. The acid-base indicator helps in determining the pH of solutions, crucial in both biological and environmental sciences. Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, important in fields like pharmacology and biochemistry. Enzymes, which are biological catalysts, play a vital role in speeding up biochemical reactions, essential for life processes.

How does chemistry contribute to the field of medicine?

Chemistry contributes to medicine through pharmacology, clinical chemistry, and radiology. Pharmacology involves the study of drugs and their effects on the human body, requiring an understanding of chemical interactions. Clinical chemistry focuses on analyzing bodily fluids for diagnostic purposes, such as blood tests. Radiology uses radioactive substances for imaging and treatment, relying on principles of nuclear chemistry. These applications demonstrate how chemistry is integral to medical advancements and patient care.

What role does chemistry play in environmental sciences?

Chemistry plays a crucial role in environmental sciences by studying the chemical composition of natural resources and the impact of pollutants. It helps in understanding processes like the carbon cycle, water purification, and soil chemistry. Environmental chemistry also involves analyzing pollutants and developing methods to mitigate their effects. This knowledge is essential for addressing environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and sustainable resource management.