Chemistry

What is chemistry?
“Chemistry is the science that systematically studies the composition, properties, and activity of
organic and inorganic substances and various elementary forms of matter.” A shorter definition says
that chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interactions between them. An important
point to remember is that chemistry is a science, which means its procedures are systematic and
reproducible and its hypotheses are tested using the scientific method. Chemistry is, along with
physics and mathematics, one of the most fundamental natural sciences. Chemistry is closely related to
physics and to biology.

What Do Chemists Do?

Chemists generally examine the properties and composition of matter and the interactions between
substances. Some chemists work in a laboratory, in a research environment, asking questions and
testing hypotheses with experiments. Other chemists may work on a computer developing theories or
models or predicting reactions. Some chemists do field work, some chemists write, some chemists
teach. The career options are extensive.

Task 1. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the most suitable word from the list below.
living basis properties human divided branches conductor physics carbon-hydrogen

What are the branches of chemistry?

Chemistry can be 1)____________ into branches according to either the substances studied or the
types of study conducted. The primary division of the first type is between inorganic chemistry and
organic chemistry. Divisions of the second type are physical chemistry and analytical chemistry.
Here is an alphabetical list of the main 2)____________ of chemistry:
Analytical Chemistry is the branch of chemistry involved with studying the 3)______________ of
materials or developing tools to analyze materials.
Astrochemistry is the study of the composition and reactions of the chemical elements and molecules
found in the stars and in space and of the interactions between this matter and radiation.
Biochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical reactions that occur inside
4)_____________ organisms.
Chemical Engineering involves the design, improvement and maintenance of processes involving
chemical of biological transformations for large-scale manufacture.
Chemical Technology solves problems related to the process in the chemical manufacture.
Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that involves the study of chemical reactions in a
solution at the interface between an ionic 5)_____________ and an electrical conductor.
Environmental Chemistry is the chemistry associated with soil, air, and water and of 6)__________
impact on natural systems.
Food Chemistry is the branch of chemistry associated with the chemical processes of all aspects of
food. Many aspects of food chemistry rely on biochemistry.
General Chemistry examines the structure of matter and the reaction between matter and energy. It is
the 7)____________ for the other branches of chemistry.
Geochemistry is the study of chemical composition and chemical processes associated with the Earth
and other planets.
Green Chemistry is concerned with processes and products that eliminate or reduce the use or release
of hazardous substances.
Inorganic Chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the structure and interactions between
inorganic compounds, which are any compounds that aren't based in 8)__________________ bonds.
Medicinal Chemistry is chemistry as it applies to pharmacology and medicine.
Nanochemistry is concerned with the assembly and properties of nanoscale assemblies of atoms or
molecules.
Nuclear Chemistry is the branch of chemistry associated with nuclear reactions and isotopes.
Organic Chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the chemistry of carbon and living
things.
Physical Chemistry is the branch of chemistry that applies 9)___________ to the study of chemistry.
Quantum mechanics and thermodynamics are examples of physical chemistry disciplines.

Task 2. Answer the questions below.

1. How can you define chemistry?
2. What natural sciences do you know?
3. What do chemists do?
4. Where can they work?
5. What branches of chemistry can you name?
6. What are they concerned with?