Basics of Chemistry Overview

Definition: The study of matter, its properties, composition, and changes it undergoes.
Branches:
- Organic Chemistry: Study of carbon-containing compounds.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Study of inorganic compounds, typically excluding carbon.
- Physical Chemistry: Examines the physical properties and behaviors of molecules.
- Analytical Chemistry: Techniques to analyze substances' composition.
- Biochemistry: Study of chemical processes in living organisms.

States of Matter:
- Solid: Fixed shape and volume.
- Liquid: Fixed volume, takes shape of container.
- Gas: No fixed shape or volume, expands to fill container.
Properties:
- Physical: Observable characteristics (color, melting point, boiling point).
- Chemical: Describes a substance's ability to change into different substances.

Atoms: Basic units of matter, composed of:
- Protons: Positively charged particles located in the nucleus.
- Neutrons: Neutral particles also in the nucleus.
- Electrons: Negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus.
Atomic Number: Number of protons in an atom; identifies the element.
Mass Number: Total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Elements: Organized by increasing atomic number.
Groups: Vertical columns with similar chemical properties (e.g., alkali metals, halogens).
Periods: Horizontal rows indicating energy levels.

Ionic Bonds: Formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another.
Covalent Bonds: Formed when atoms share electrons.
Metallic Bonds: Involves the sharing of free electrons among a lattice of metal atoms.

Reactants: Substances that undergo change.
Products: Substances formed from the reaction.
Types of Reactions:
- Synthesis: A + B → AB
- Decomposition: AB → A + B
- Single Replacement: A + BC → B + AC
- Double Replacement: AB + CD → AD + CB

Definition: The calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions.
Mole Concept: A mole is 6.022 x 10²³ entities (Avogadro's number).
Balanced Equations: Essential for stoichiometric calculations.

Reaction Rate: Speed at which reactants turn into products.
Equilibrium: A state when the rate of forward and reverse reactions are equal.

Solvent: The substance in which the solute dissolves.
Solute: The substance that dissolves in the solvent.
Concentration: Amount of solute per unit volume of solution (e.g., molarity).

Chemistry is essential for understanding the composition, structure, and changes of matter, influencing multiple fields including biology, environmental science, and materials science. Understanding the principles of chemistry provides the foundation for more complex scientific study and practical applications.

Chemistry studies matter, its properties, composition, and transformations.
Key branches include organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry. Organic chemistry focuses on carbon-containing compounds, while inorganic chemistry focuses on everything else. Physical chemistry explores the physical properties and behavior of molecules. Analytical chemistry develops methods to analyze the components of substances. Biochemistry investigates chemical processes within living things.

Matter exists in solid, liquid, and gas states. Solids have fixed shape and volume; liquids have fixed volume but adopt the container's shape; gases have neither fixed shape nor volume.
Matter exhibits physical properties (e.g., color, melting/boiling points) and chemical properties (ability to transform into other substances).

Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter.
They comprise protons (positive charge), neutrons (neutral charge) in the nucleus, and electrons (negative charge) orbiting the nucleus.
Atomic number defines an element by specifying its proton count. Mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons.

Chemical reactions involve reactants (starting substances) transforming into products.
Major reaction types include synthesis (A + B → AB), decomposition (AB → A + B), single replacement (A + BC → B + AC), and double replacement (AB + CD → AD + CB).

Stoichiometry calculates reactant and product amounts in chemical reactions.
The mole concept uses Avogadro's number (6.022 x 10²³) to represent entities (atoms, molecules, etc.).
Balanced chemical equations are crucial for stoichiometric calculations.

Solutions consist of a solvent (dissolving medium) and a solute (dissolved substance).
Concentration expresses the solute amount per solution volume (e.g., molarity).

Chemistry is fundamental to understanding matter's composition, structure, and transformations.
Its principles underpin various fields, including biology, environmental science, and materials science.
A strong understanding of chemistry is crucial for advanced scientific studies and practical applications.