Branches of Chemistry

Branches of Chemistry

• Inorganic Chemistry: study of inorganic compounds, typically derived from mineral sources
• Organic Chemistry: study of organic compounds, typically containing carbon and hydrogen
• Physical Chemistry: study of the physical properties and behavior of matter at the molecular and atomic level
• Analytical Chemistry: study of the analysis and identification of the chemical composition of substances
• Biochemistry: study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms

Atomic Structure

• Atoms: smallest units of matter, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons
• Protons: positively charged particles in the nucleus of an atom
• Neutrons: particles with no charge in the nucleus of an atom
• Electrons: negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus of an atom
• Electron Shells: energy levels that electrons occupy around the nucleus

Chemical Bonding

• Chemical Bond: attractive force between atoms that holds them together
• Covalent Bond: bond formed by sharing electrons between atoms
• ** Ionic Bond**: bond formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms
• Hydrogen Bond: weak bond between atoms with a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom

Chemical Reactions

• Chemical Reaction: process in which one or more substances are converted into new substances
• Reactants: substances that undergo a chemical reaction
• Products: substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction
• Catalyst: substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed
• Activation Energy: energy required for a chemical reaction to occur