Kelly Enmanuel Rosario Polanco
23-1221 Mayo 15, 2025
INGLES TECNICO ---LEX-115-01
INTRODUCTION
Chemistry, the science of matter and its transformations, has evolved through centuries of
curiosity, experimentation, and discovery. From mystical origins in alchemy to the precise science
it is today, chemistry has played a vital role in shaping our understanding of the natural world and
improving human life.
ALCHEMY AND ITS ORIGINS
The Alchemy flourished in ancient Egypt, China, India, and later in Islamic and medieval
European cultures, was both a philosophical and proto-scientific tradition. Alchemists aimed to
transform base metals into noble ones like gold, discover the elixir of life, and understand the
secrets of nature. While their methods were not scientific by modern standards, alchemy laid the
groundwork for experimental techniques, laboratory tools, and the quest for material
understanding—paving the way for chemistry.
THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION AND THE BIRTH OF MODERN CHEMISTRY
We can say that the 17th-century Scientific Revolution marked a turning point in human thought,
emphasizing observation, experimentation, and logic. Chemistry began to emerge as a distinct
science, especially with the rejection of alchemical mysticism. Scientists like Robert Boyle, often
called the "father of modern chemistry," emphasized empirical methods and helped establish
chemistry as a systematic, experimental discipline.
DISCOVERIES AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES
Law of Conservation of Mass, by Antoine Lavoisier, 18th century: Demonstrated that
mass is conserved in chemical reactions.
Dalton’s Atomic Theory, by John Dalton: Proposed that matter is composed of
indivisible atoms, each with characteristic weights.
Periodic Table, by Dmitri Mendeleev, 1869: Organized elements by atomic weight and
properties, predicting the existence of unknown elements with remarkable accuracy.
WOMEN IN CHEMISTRY
Women have made essential contributions to chemistry, often overcoming significant barriers. In
earlier centuries, societal norms restricted women’s access to education and scientific
communities. Today, women continue to lead in fields ranging from medicinal chemistry to
materials science.
Marie Curie Discovered polonium and radium
Dorothy Hodgkin – Did an advanced X-ray crystallography
Rosalind Franklin She contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure made lasting
impacts.
CHEMISTRY IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA
Modern chemistry is at the forefront of technological and medical advancements.
Organic chemistry Some researchers design and synthesize increasingly complex molecules
that form the foundation of new pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and even smart polymers
that respond to stimuli in their environment. These innovations are critical for developing targeted
drug therapies, biodegradable plastics, and sustainable chemical processes that minimize waste
and environmental harm.
Biochemistry This is the bridge between chemistry and biology, continues to unravel the
intricate molecular mechanisms that govern life. Biochemistry also explores cellular processes and
genetics, leading to breakthroughs in disease treatment.
Nanotechnology Is redefining what is possible at the smallest scales. By manipulating atoms
and molecules, the scientists are engineering materials with unprecedented precision. In
environmental science, nanotech is being used to purify water, remove pollutants, and detect toxins
with extraordinary sensitivity.
CONCLUSION
From the mystical experiments of ancient alchemists to the precision of modern nanotechnology,
the journey of chemistry spans millennia of human curiosity, imagination, and discovery.
Chemistry’s evolution reflects not only our growing understanding of the natural world, but also
our deep desire to harness that knowledge for the betterment of humanity. Each era has contributed
to the shaping of this dynamic discipline: alchemists introduced early techniques and apparatuses,
scientists of the Enlightenment laid down fundamental laws, and 20th and 21st-century chemists
have explored the atomic and molecular realms with incredible precision.
