SCOPES OF CHEMISTRY

Chemistry is the study of matter—what it consists of, what its properties are, and how it changes. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space—that is, anything that is physically real. Some things are easily identified as matter—the screen on which you are reading this book, for example. Others are not so obvious. Because we move so easily through air, we sometimes forget that it, too, is matter. Because of this, chemistry is a science that has its fingers in just about everything. Being able to describe the ingredients in a cake and how they change when the cake is baked, for example, is chemistry!

Chemistry is one branch of science. Science is the process by which we learn about the natural universe by observing, testing, and then generating models that explain our observations. Because the physical universe is so vast, there are many different branches of science (Figure 1.1.1$\mathrm{1.1.}1$). Thus, chemistry is the study of matter, biology is the study of living things, and geology is the study of rocks and the earth. Mathematics is the language of science, and we will use it to communicate some of the ideas of chemistry.

Figure 1.1.1$\mathbf{1.1.}\mathbf{1}$: The Relationships between Some of the Major Branches of Science. Chemistry lies more or less in the middle, which emphasizes its importance to many branches of science.

Although we divide science into different fields, there is much overlap among them. For example, some biologists and chemists work in both fields so much that their work is called biochemistry. Similarly, geology and chemistry overlap in the field called geochemistry. Figure 1.1.1$\mathrm{1.1.}1$ shows how many of the individual fields of science are related. At some level, all of these fields depend on matter because they all involve "stuff"; because of this, chemistry has been called the "central science", linking them all together.

APPLICATIONS OF CHEMISTRY

There are many instances in your day-to-day life that involves chemistry, its applications, and its rules. Let us look at them one by one.

1) Supply of Food

The study of chemistry provided the world with chemical fertilizers such as urea, calcium superphosphate, sodium nitrate, and Ammonium Sulphate. These chemicals have helped greatly in increasing the yield of fruits, vegetables, and other crops. Thus, we can cater to the ever-growing demand for food. It has helped to protect the crops from insects and harmful bacteria by the use of certain effective insecticides, fungicides, and pesticides.

Chemistry also led to the discovery of preservatives. These chemicals have greatly helped to preserve food products for a longer period. It has given methods to test the presence of adulterants. This ensures the supply of pure foodstuff.

2) Contribution to Improved Health and Sanitation Facilities

Chemistry provided mankind with a large number of life-saving drugs. We could find a cure for dysentery and pneumonia due to the discovery of sulphur drugs and penicillin. Besides this, life-saving drugs like cisplatin and taxol are effective for cancer therapy and AZT is used for AIDS victim. Some of the common drugs that chemistry has blessed us with include:

• Analgesics: To reduce the pain of different types.
• Antibiotics: To curb infection and cure diseases.
• Tranquillisers: To reduce tension and bring about calm and peace to patients suffering from mental diseases.
• Antiseptics: To stop infection of the wounds.
• Disinfectants: To kill the microorganism present in toilets, floor, and drains.
• Discovery of anaesthetics has made surgical operations more and more successful.
• The use of insecticides such as DDT and Gammexane has greatly reduced the dangers of diseases caused by the rats, mosquitoes, and flies.

3) The Scope of Chemistry in Saving the Environment

Thanks to science, now we have environment-friendly chemicals that help us conserve the nature. One such example is the replacement of CFCs in the refrigerators.

4) Increase in Comfort, Pleasure, and Luxuries

Because of the advancements in science and the discoveries of chemistry, we lead a more comfortable life today. You may ask how? Let us see below.

• Synthetic fibres: These are more attractive, comfortable and durable. The include terylene, nylon, and rayon. They are easy to wash, dry quickly and do not need ironing. Chemistry provides a large number of synthetic dyes which imparts bright and fast colour to the clothes.
• Building materials: By supplying steel and cement, chemistry helps in the construction of safer homes and multi-storage buildings. It also helps in the construction of long-lasting and durable dams and bridges.
• Supply of metals: Metals like gold, silver, copper, iron, aluminium, zinc and a large number of the alloys are used for making various objects. These include ornaments, utensils, coins, and many Industrial and agricultural implements.
• Articles of domestic use: Chemistry has made our homes more comfortable by supplying a large number of articles of domestic uses. Examples include detergents, oils, and fats, sugar, paper, glass, plastic, paints, cosmetics, perfumes, cooking gas etc. We are able to beat the heat in summers by using refrigerants like ammonia, liquid sulphur dioxide, and freon.
• Entertainment: Cinema, video cameras, simple cameras make use of films which are made of Celluloid and coated with suitable chemicals. Fireworks which amuses us on festival and marriages are chemical products. Can you imagine how boring life would have been if you wouldn’t have been able to take all those cute selfies?
• Transport and communication: All means of transport use either petrol or diesel or coal which are all chemical products.
• Nuclear atomic energy: Chemistry has come to the rescue by providing an alternative source of energy which is nuclear energy.

5) The Scope of Chemistry in Industry

Chemistry plays an important and useful role towards the development and growth of a number of industries. This includes industries like glass, cement, paper, textile, leather, dye etc. We also see huge applications of chemistry in industries like paints, pigments, petroleum, sugar, plastics, Pharmaceuticals.

It has also helped in the greater production of sulphuric acid, nitric acid, and Ammonia, hydrogenated oils by providing suitable catalysts.

6) The Scope of Chemistry in War

Chemistry plays an important role in the discovery of highly explosive substances such as TNT, nitroglycerine, and dynamite. It also plays a role in finding poisonous gases like mustard gas, Phosgene etc.

Solved Example for You

Q: List down some problems caused by Chemistry.

Ans:

• Nuclear energy is useful but the disposal of nuclear waste poses a serious problem to humanity.
• Phonograph records have added to our pleasure for listening to music but they are made of polyvinyl chloride. This is produced from vinyl chloride which can cause liver cancer in industrial workers.
• Antibiotics have eliminated infectious diseases but the overuse is very harmful. Chemistry has given drugs like LSD, cocaine, brown sugar. These prove to be a curse to the society.