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Chemistry
Chemistry is one of the physical sciences. All sciences use chemistry
and depend to some degree upon it. It is a part of the world of
natural sciences. Thus, you will find people trained in chemistry
are also involved in environmental protection, health and safety,
medicine, forensics, and electronics.
Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter and the changes
in composition which matter undergoes. Changes in composition of
matter involve the release or absorption of energy, and since physics
also is concerned with energy changes there is an intimate relationship
between chemistry and physics. Chemists also study molecules in
biological organisms and plants; thus, there is also an strong relationship
with molecular biology.
Chemistry is a very broad subject and it is impossible for one
person to be an expert in all areas. Thus, people tend to study
one of the different branches of chemistry: Organic chemistry, inorganic
chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry.
Organic chemistry deals primarily with the chemistry of carbon and
hydrogen containing compounds. Inorganic chemistry is very broad
as it focuses on the chemistry of compounds containing all other
elements. However, there are compounds that contain metals and carbon
and they form a newer branch of chemistry called organometallic
chemistry. Analytical chemistry deals with the detection and quantization
of substances in materials. Physical chemistry forms the foundation
of most branches of chemistry and is concerned with the underlying
principles that are associated with physical and chemical changes
and physical and chemical properties. Biochemistry is concerned
with the substances and processes in living things. A new branch
of chemistry deals with the overlap of biochemistry and inorganic
chemistry and is termed bioinorganic chemistry.
Chemistry students find many opportunities
to work in chemical laboratories, chemical sales or educational
institutions. Chemists are employed in a wide variety of environmental,
industrial and biotechnology laboratories. There is a national shortage
of 9-12 science teachers and this is particularly true in chemistry;
thus there is a strong demand for students who are interested in
K-12 education. Students also use chemistry to prepare to enter
the world of medicine. This reflects the fact that chemistry is
a "central science."
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