General Chemistry for Engineers
NCH 1101- lecture
AIDA V. MENOR
What Is Chemistry?
“Chemistry
comes from the Arabic word "al-kimia" meaning
"the art of transformation“
-began as the study of alchemy. Most alchemists
were searching for the "philosopher's stone", a fabled
substance that could turn common metals into gold.
What Is Chemistry?
Chemistry
the science of matter and the transformations it can
undergo.
the study of matter, its properties, how and why
substances combine or separate to form other
substances, and how substances interact with energy.
sometimes called “the central science,” because it
bridges the logical physical sciences like math and
physics with other natural sciences and conceptual life
sciences, such as geology, biology and social sciences
“ father of modern chemistry "
--- Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier
for his work on the principle of conservation of mass and
for developing a new system of chemical nomenclature.
“ father of old chemistry”
---- GEBER and he is also called Jabir ibn Hayyan
Why should you study it?
It helps us understand our surroundings and the way we
function.
It plays a central role in medicine, engineering and many
sciences.
BRANCHES
Analytical chemistry uses qualitative and quantitative
observation to identify and measure the physical and
chemical properties of substances. In a sense, all
chemistry is analytical.
Physical chemistry combines chemistry with physics.
Physical chemistry is the study of the physical properties
of chemicals. Physical chemists study how matter and
energy interact.
Thermodynamics and quantum mechanics are two of the
important branches of physical chemistry.
Organic chemistry specifically studies compounds that
contain the element carbon. Carbon has many unique
properties that allow it to form complex chemical bonds
and very large molecules.
Organic chemistry is known as the “Chemistry of Life”
because all of the molecules that make up living tissue
have carbon as part of their makeup.
Inorganic chemistry studies materials such as metals
and gases that do not have carbon as part of their
makeup.
Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes that
occur within living organisms.
Scientific method
-- provides a logical, systematic way to answer
questions and removes subjectivity by requiring each
answer to be authenticated with objective evidence that
can be reproduced.
-- is a process for gathering data and processing
information. It provides well-defined steps to
standardize how scientific knowledge is gathered
through a logical, rational problem-solving method.
The basic steps in the scientific method are:
• Observation a natural phenomenon and define a
question about it
• Hypothesis, or potential solution to the question, a
tentative explanation for the observation(s) found in
nature, it is the why
• Experiment
• Analysis of the result
• Conclusions and repeat–the scientific method is never-
ending, and no result is ever considered perfect
Observations can
Qualitative observations
---- describe properties or occurrences in ways that do
not rely on numbers.
Quantitative observations
--- are measurements, which by definition consist of
both a number and a unit.
Fact
---- is a basic statement establish by experiment or
observation. All facts are true under the specific conditions
of the observation.
Theory
--- is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect
of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have
been repeatedly confirmed through observation and
experimentation.
--- a unifying principle to explain a body of facts and
the laws based on them
Law
--- is based on observation only, the law is the what
--- refer to rules for how nature will behave under
certain conditions, frequently written as an equation.
--- summarizes a large number of experiments
“Engineering is the profession in which the
knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences
gained by study , experience, and
practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to
utilize, economically, the materials and forces of
nature for the benefit of mankind”.
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Nothing can be more certain than this: that we are
just beginning to learn something of the wonders of
the world on which we live and move and have our
being.
WILLIAM RAMSAY, 1852 TO 1916
REFERENCES:
Brown L. et. al (2018) Chemistry for Engineering Students,
Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd
Silberberg, M. S. (2010). Chemistry – Molecular Nature of Matter
and Change, 5th edition. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-
chemistry/chapter/overview-of-chemistry/
https://www.livescience.com/45986-what-is-chemistry.html
https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_British_Columbi
a/CHEM_100%3A_Foundations_of_Chemistry/01%3A_The_Chemi
cal_World/1.4%3A_The_Scientific_Method_-_How_Chemists_Think
file:///C:/Users/SAMSUNG/Desktop/UE%20STEM/SETON%20CHEM
%20STEM/Chapter%201.pdf
https://www.famousscientists.org/brilliant-chemistry-quotes/
