Inorganic chemistry deals with matter in its simplest form. Organic chemistry deals with compounds composed of inorganic substances and their chemical relations. Some popular inorganic chemistry topics include the chemistry of organic acids, alkaline earth metals, inorganic nitrides and organic radicals, inorganic solvents, inorganic phosphates, inorganic metals, and organic polymers. The student will learn how to combine different substances and create structures from these substances.
The study of chemistry is important for engineers and many doctors of medicine specialize in this field of study. Many chemists have become renowned scientists and hold senior positions in academic institutions as well as in industry. Many chemists continue their research in the lab at universities or colleges around the world. They may be involved in the development of new medical drugs, the development of manufacturing processes, or find new ways to preserve and inspect materials.
A chemist is someone who studies substances and reacts with them to form various compounds. Most all chemists share a common interest in the properties of various substances. This is what leads to the subject’s centrality in society. Chemicals can be complex at times, which is part of what makes them challenging to study. It takes a chemist years to master how to manipulate and handle the thousands of chemical compounds that are produced by nature.
When it comes to understanding chemistry, it is important to have a good understanding of how different elements interact. To begin one must understand the four elements – hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. Elements are compounds made up of a single atom containing hydrogen, or a “baker” of electrons. Bakers have two electrons in their nucleus, while oxygen and carbon atoms contain only one electron. By understanding the role each element plays in compounds, it is possible to begin an understanding of alchemy.
Alchemists believe they have a better understanding of the world by using theories of classical philosophy, however, there is a growing number of scientists that believe there is more to reality than our minds can perceive. Many of the greatest discoveries in science were the result of experimental methods, such as those used by quantum mechanics. Theories of inorganic chemistry and quantum mechanics are similar, though their methods of observation are quite different. Quantum mechanics relies on an outside source for its predictions, while inorganic chemistry relies on experimental methods. Quantum mechanics will never completely describe inorganic chemistry, but theories have provided scientists with a deeper understanding of matter.
Inorganic chemistry relies on atoms and molecules for bonding and structure. Atoms make pairs with other atoms based on their electrons, which are then absorbed by neighboring atoms and molecules. Molecules are individual atoms joined together through chemical bonds. A molecule can be made up of one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom, or one carbon and one hydrogen atom, or one oxygen and one nitrogen atom.
When atoms and molecules join to form compounds, these compounds are termed compound molecules. Compound molecules contain multiple atoms and molecules and are composed of single atoms and molecules. One class of compounds are organic compounds, which consist of one hydrogen atom and one electron. Organic compounds are necessary for life, but identifying the properties of these compounds is a work in progress.