What is Chemistry: Definition and 993 Discussions

Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the elements that make up matter to the compounds composed of atoms, molecules and ions: their composition, structure, properties, behavior and the changes they undergo during a reaction with other substances.In the scope of its subject, chemistry occupies an intermediate position between physics and biology. It is sometimes called the central science because it provides a foundation for understanding both basic and applied scientific disciplines at a fundamental level. For example, chemistry explains aspects of plant chemistry (botany), the formation of igneous rocks (geology), how atmospheric ozone is formed and how environmental pollutants are degraded (ecology), the properties of the soil on the moon (cosmochemistry), how medications work (pharmacology), and how to collect DNA evidence at a crime scene (forensics).
Chemistry addresses topics such as how atoms and molecules interact via chemical bonds to form new chemical compounds. There are two types of chemical bonds: 1. primary chemical bonds e.g covalent bonds, in which atoms share one or more electron(s); ionic bonds, in which an atom donates one or more electrons to another atom to produce ions (cations and anions); metallic bonds and 2. secondary chemical bonds e.g. hydrogen bonds; Van der Waals force bonds, ion-ion interaction, ion-dipole interaction etc.

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  1. Titan97

    Chemistry Jerry March, Advanced Organic Chemistry

    I just bought this book: March's Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure (link: https://books.google.co.in/books/about/March_s_Advanced_Organic_Chemistry.html?id=JDR-nZpojeEC&hl=en) But I found that it starts with complex reactions and contains lots of NMR spectra...
  2. NanaToru

    Metaphor for orbital angular momentum?

    I've been tutoring for chemistry and someone asked me to clarify the difference of spin angular momentum and orbital angular momentum without math. I was trying to think of a metaphor, but I wanted to make sure it's a fair one--the spin angular momentum is like Earth rotating on its own axis...
  3. H Smith 94

    Electrical conductivity of seawater depends on salinity how?

    Hi! I am currently trying to determine how the salinity ##S## of a sample of seawater (or, objectively, a salt-water solution) changes its electrical conductivity ##\sigma##. It is clear that they are proportional since the mobility of the ##\text{Na}^{+}## and ##\text{Cl}^{-}## ions plays a...
  4. H

    Programs Is a double major worth it? (Physics, chemistry)

    Yes, another one of these threads. GET OVER IT! Just kidding LOL. A few disclaimers: I do have a practical reason for considering a double major. A career path I have been strongly considering in the past two years is to become a forensic scientist (crime lab technician). Also, this isn't just...
  5. D

    Is organic chemistry employed in fab'ing graphene ICs?

    Hello, I am interested in possibly fabricating microprocessors if I make it through school. I have yet to take my first course in organic chemistry. Will I have to know anything about organic chemistry if I am to fabricate microprocessors? Do you know if organic chemistry is employed in the...
  6. C

    How do I convert from kJ/kg to kJ/mol?

    I have researched that isobutanol has a heat of combustion of 35981 kJ/kg; however I need this to be in kJ/mol. From calculations, the molar mass of isobutanol was found to be 74g/mol. How would I go about in converting this? Relevant equations (?) #mols=mass/molarmass But how can I use this?
  7. MarcozXD

    Should carbon boiling stones be used in O-chem reactions?

    I performed column cromatography on an oil, and used carbon boiling chips but got some weird IR. I used hexanes and acetone as solvents, I am trying to figure out some of the spikes, soo I am thinking that maybe the boiling stone being carbon could acted as activated carbon and absorbed some...
  8. O

    What is the Connection Between Physics, Chemistry, and Data Management?

    Hi! I was physics student in Switzerland, but was unsuccessful because of several Army duties in atomical-chemical troups. Physics and chemistry were my passions. Since, I re-oriented myself in computer science as a learner, and discovered a new passion in data management (nowadays databases...
  9. I

    Chemistry General Chemistry Moles Question

    This is using dimensional analysis, and I'm stuck on this question, but I'll show what I have so far. The questions is: If there is 3.34x1022 atoms in a CH3OH sample. What is the mass of this sample, how many moles are there of this sample, and how many molecules are in this sample? Initially...
  10. Abtinnn

    How Far Will Computer Science Go?

    Many problems in modern science are being solved by computers and not humans (though technically it's the humans that give the task to the computer). If this keeps advancing, would there be anything left for us as a "job?" Sorry if my question sounds dumb but i thought it would be interesting to...
  11. NanaToru

    Tips for switching into physics with mediocre math scores

    Hello all! I've been on and off this forum for a little bit now. Background: Graduated from top 50 (US News, as if that means anything) school with a degree in applied chemistry with a 3.2 gpa. I had two papers published in organic chemistry, one poster in analytical and did research abroad...
  12. BruceW~

    Books for High School Science: Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Calculus

    Hi guys I'm Bruce. I'm new to this forum and I 'm currently a high school student. I was wondering if there was any good books( not too advanced) on topics such as astronomy, chemistry, biology and calculus. If you can give me one or two suggestions that will be great.
  13. S

    Engineering Nursing student- wants to work in biomedical engineering

    I have grown up planning on going into engineering. I loveeee science and math! However, once I became a mom I decided that an engineering career might be harder to start with a child. So, I decided to go to school for nursing since medical sciences really interest me and the schedule is really...
  14. T

    What is a mechanism in chemistry and how do I draw it?

    Sorry i am doing this summer research program and I have only taken Chem honors and we did not learn how to dram a mechanism or what a mechanism even is!
  15. X

    Chemistry What to take after BS Chemistry?

    Previously, I am taking Double Major: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. I have 60 units before but removed the engineering course so now i have 20 units left. This is because of financial reasons and personally I think in my college, most of the professors in chem engineering department...
  16. Carlos Gouveia

    The Salty Chemistry of Kitchen Salt in Water

    Kitchen salt is soluble in water. Whenever this happens, molecules of NaCl dissociate into the two chemical entities that form such molecule, the cation Na+ and the anion Cl-. Suppose I dissolve some amount of NaCl in water. Then I pour part of this solution into another glass. Is it...
  17. G

    Chemistry Introductory textbook on Chemistry

    Hello PF ! I am going to start a bachelor's degree in physics in September. I am looking for an introductory textbook on Chemistry. The university is new in Europe and we don't seem to have specific textbooks to buy. We have more like recommended textbooks. Here is the objective and the topics...
  18. K

    Chemistry Suggestions for Chemistry 1 Self-Study Books?

    I will be taking Chemistry 1 in the fall for undergrad science majors and am looking for a good study book to brush up on the basics. I took chemistry in high school two years ago and don't want to be re-learning basics that I was expected to know beforehand (sig figs, conversions, etc). Any...
  19. L

    Calculating Mass in a Gas Stoichiometry Problem

    Hi all, While studying for my exam (and doing review questions) I came across a problem that I couldn't solve: 5. Zirconium metal and chlorine gas react to form zirconium (IV) chloride Zr + 2Cl2 = ZrCl4 a) What volume of chlorine gas must be used at 350 degrees Celsius and 50 kPa to produce...
  20. alr1014

    Would rubbing alcohol and vinegar neutralize each other?

    I was reading a post on Facebook about cleaning and it said to mix rubbing alcohol and vinegar and put it in your windown washer fluid tank. Someone commented that it would corrode or eat away at the tubing. I keep thinking the mixture would be an acid /base mixture and would neutralize. I was...
  21. L

    What Is the Percent Yield from Aluminum to Potassium Alum?

    Here is the question: If 75.0 g of potassium alum is obtained from 5.00 g of aluminum, what is the percent yield? This is what I've done so far, but I'm not sure if it is fully correct: 5.00g Al x (1/26.98156) x (1/1) x 258.207 = 47.84882537g potassium alum Wouldn't this then be the...
  22. C

    Chemistry Great books on intermolecular forces (physics + chemistry)

    So i want to understand how concepts like van der waals, electronegavity and covalent bonds were discovered, measured and derived back in the days. I'm looking for a good book to explain this. So far I've looked at a book by Jacob.Intermolecular and Surface Forces, Revised Third Edition -...
  23. EternusVia

    Why do enantiomers rotate polarized light?

    We are currently learning about enantiomers in organic chemistry class. So far, we've covered what makes an enantiomer, the concept of chirality, optical isomer naming systems, and the physical and chemical properties of enantiomers. One of the physical properties listed is that enantiomers...
  24. N

    How do I calculate the cell potential?

    < Mentor Note -- thread moved to HH from the technical chemistryforum, so no HH Template is shown > I was given this problem: A voltaic sell uses the reaction 4Fe3+ + H2 --> 2Fe2+ +2H+. Find the cell potential when [Fe3+]=1.50 M, PH2=.50 atm, and [Fe2+]=.00100 M and the pH of both anode and...
  25. N

    How to prepare for MIT and Chemistry Olympiad Program

    Hello! I am a fourteen-year-old Freshman in Minnesota and I am very interested in being a possible chemist. I am planning as of now, to go to MIT for a doctorates degree in chemistry and I am anticipating the amount of work that shall take and that is what I would like to ask you people. I was...
  26. A

    Contribution of the auto dissociation of water

    Homework Statement How much does the auto - dissociation of water contribute to the pH a 10e+3M aqueous solution of sulphuric acid? Homework Equations Ka = [H30+][SO42-}/[HSO4-] = 1.1e-2 Kw = [OH-][H30+] The Attempt at a Solution Sulphuric acid is a strong acid in the first hydrolysis step...
  27. B

    Automotive Combution, energy and pressure relation

    Hello guys, I'm currently working on a car simulation just for fun, but I'm stuck... The force to move a car is generated by burning fuel ( to be more percise, diesel or gasolin). But there are more variables: Pressure (i know this because of turbos and such) amount of fuel amount of air (or...
  28. N

    Programs Should You Pursue a Minor Alongside a Double Major in STEM?

    Hi everyone, I have a question about the intricacies of Majors and Minors. Not sure if the topic/prefix is correct, any mod that thinks it should be under something else please go ahead and change it. But my question is regarding the specifics and impacts of majors and minors. I plan on...
  29. K

    Can You Identify the Unknown Compound in this Mass Spectrometry Spectrum?

    Homework Statement Hi. I'm trying to understand some of the peaks shown in this spectra:http://sdbs.db.aist.go.jp/sdbs/cgi-bin/direct_frame_top.cgi The Attempt at a Solution I do see why 86 would be the base peak, give the clear loss of CH3COO. However, because the rest of the peaks are...
  30. kkefalas

    Programs Don't Need Chemistry as a Physics Major?

    I'm a Physics major, and I've heard most universities require that you take Chemistry. My school doesn't require this. Is it still beneficial to get some chemistry under my belt?
  31. L

    Pharmacophore and polarity of aspirin and ibuprofen?

    Homework Statement I need to know the pharmacophore of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and ibuprofen. There is a task where I have to compare these two drugs' structure, synthesis, mechanism of action and side effects. Specifically, it says to include, "The chemical structure of the drug...
  32. L

    Cheminformatics career what language to learn first?

    I'm a math and chemistry double major and hope to go to grad school in cheminformatics, my eventual goal would be to work as a data scientist for a drug company. My question is what languages should I learn first? The CS class I need to take for my math major is C++ but I'm not sure if this is...
  33. Elvis 123456789

    Is 3FeCl2 to 2FeCl3 and Fe(s) a Disproportionation Redox Reaction?

    Homework Statement Determine the oxidizing agent, reducing agent, element oxidized, element reduced, # of electrons lost per atom, and # of electrons gained per atom. State if the reaction is not redox. 3FeCl2(aq) ------> 2FeCl3(aq) + Fe(s) Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution...
  34. A

    Favorite and least favorite branch of chemistry?

    I was just curious to see what everybody enjoyed the most (or enjoyed the least) in terms of chemistry classes. I finally get to take Inorganic next year, which I feel like I am going to enjoy a lot along with biochemistry.
  35. MugiwaraNoSanji

    Quantum Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Chemistry books

    Hi, I've been self studying physics for a few years and I'm looking for some new books, specifically on Quantum Mechanics or Quantum Chemistry. It doesn't matter if they are PDF files or actual books, and price doesn't really matter. I've read Feynmans Lectures books and I'm looking for the next...
  36. A

    Deriving a Rate Equation for a Reversible Elementary Mechanism

    Homework Statement Overall reaction: A + F = I + J (just take = as the equilibrium sign) It is first order in both A and B. The following mechanism has been proposed: 1. A + B = C + D 2. C + D = E + B (B is the catalyst) 3. E + F = G + H 4. G + H = I + J These are all...
  37. D

    Why doesn't electrode potential depend on amount of metal?

    When a metal (electrode) is in contact with water, an equilibrium forms: Mg ⇔Mg2++e- Adding more of the metal Mg should convert some of it into more electrons so that the ratio of Mg to Mg2+ remains the same (as the equilibrium requires). Therefore twice the amount of metal in contact with water...
  38. A

    Kinetics question: calculating rate constants

    Homework Statement I need help for this kinetics question: Chlorination of butene at 0 degrees c, liquid phase, dichloromethane as solvent. initial concentration of butene is 0.1M conversion of 47.71% achieved after 3.1 hours. an additional 0.5M of hot butene was added at this point, which...
  39. Biscuit

    Chemistry Nanotechnology careers with biology and chemistry?

    Ok this is my first time posting but my questions about my future are tearing me apart. I am only a sophomore in high school but I am very interested/study physics and intend on perusing my phd. I find nano technology very Interesting and one of the most influential studies that interests me...
  40. A

    Why do sugars have higher boiling points than water?

    I recently heard about an interesting chemistry experiment I have yet to try. It involves boiling soda and watching the water rise and the sugars remain at the bottom of the pot. The reason being is sugars have higher boiling points than water. Thus, the water boils first, heats up, and rises to...
  41. B

    The Potential of Titan: Igniting Methane Oceans for Photosynthesis

    If a methane-filled planet or moon like Titan was pulled toward a star, as the methane warmed and became gaseous, would it be possible to ignite it, converting the methane oceans to H2O with a CO2 atmosphere, which could in turn cause photosynthesis to naturally occur? If it's possible, it...
  42. T

    What is the equivalence point on this graph?

    I am attempting to do a lab that requires the determination of an unknown diprotic acid using a titration curve. I have graphed my data but I am unsure what point to use as my eq. point. In my lab manual it says I may use the second or first eq. point but the second is often clearer. I am not...
  43. A

    Analytical Problem with Coulomb's Law

    Homework Statement Consider a parallel universe where the laws of nature as we know them are different, and aqueous solutions can have an excess charge. Two beakers are separated 1.20 meters and each contains 0.300 L of an aqueous solution of 6.40 × 10-6 M excess charge. One beaker has a net...
  44. M

    Minoring in Physics: Choosing Between Chemistry & Geology

    I'm currently doing a bachelors degree in applied physics, which minor goes along with physics? Chemistry or Geology? Which is in demand? (Our minors are 18 credit hours)
  45. K

    Why is there a +R or -R effect?

    What I mean to say is that why are some substituent groups such that(during resonance) the pi electrons' delocalisation is directed away from it while some groups are such that delocalisation of pi electrons is towards those groups? Can you kindly give some examples too?
  46. J

    Programs Should I add on a Chemistry Minor?

    Hi all, this is my first post on here so if it is in the wrong section, I'm sorry. I have been a physics undergraduate now for two and a half years and I'm at the point now where I have some electives I can finally choose. I already have a Math minor finished, but I'm thinking about adding on a...
  47. L

    Looking for rigorous General Chemistry textbook

    I'm going to be tutoring next semester and I need a good general chemistry book to review. I used an old copy of zumdahl during general chemistry(not assigned text but worked fine) but I want a fresh look at the subject that is a little more rigorous mathematically especially. After a year of...
  48. T

    Organic Chemistry - Elimination/substitution

    Homework Statement I have this problem: I known that reaction with TsOH would replace -OH groups with TsO (substitution reaction). (Et)3N would therefore act as a base to abstract H to form an alkene. The problem is i know it should be an E1cb reaction but how do I obtain an alkene? I tried to...
  49. D

    Can Miralax and Thick-It be safely mixed for a dysphagia patient?

    So I work at an assisted living facility where part of my job description is to administer medications in the morning. There is one resident who takes Miralax (polyethylene glycol) mixed in with water once per day for constipation. This is a doctor's order, so he must get it every day. The...
  50. N

    Chemistry Math & Chemistry: Should I Pursue a 2nd Majors?

    I'm a freshman math major and I want to pursue a PhD in math after graduation. I've heard that the job prospects for mathematicians are better if you have a background in another field. So I want to pursue a second major- which I probably would have done anyway because science is awesome...
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