Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

Careers of Chemistry
Scope of Chemistry
A person studying, trained in or engaged in
Chemistry is a branch of science which deals
chemistry is called a Chemist. Careers in
with the composition, structure and properties
chemistry include:
of matter. Antoine Laurent Lavoisier is called
the father of chemistry. E.g., Burning of Wood.
• Medical Doctors
• Cosmetologists
Branches of Chemistry
• Nurses and Midwives
❖ Pure chemistry has four branches • Agricultural Scientists
• Food Technologists
• Physical Chemistry: It is concerned with • Research Chemists
the explanation of fundamental principles. • Pharmacists
• Biochemists
• Inorganic Chemistry: It is concerned with • Nutritionists
the study of elements (other than carbon) • Dieticians
and their compounds.
• Laboratory Assistants
• Analytical Chemists
• Organic Chemistry: It is the branch of
• Chemical Engineers
chemistry which is concerned with organic
• Chemistry Teachers
compounds or substances produced by
• Forensic Scientists
living organisms.
• Geochemists
• Analytical chemistry: It is branch of • Hazardous Waste Chemists
chemistry which is concerned with • Materials Scientists
qualitative and quantitative analysis of • Pharmacologists
chemical substances • Toxicologists
• Water Chemists
❖ Applied Chemistry deals with the use of • Marine Engineer
knowledge of the pure chemistry to
produce goods and services for the benefit Importance of Chemistry
of mankind. Knowledge of chemistry is
applied in fields like Biochemistry, 1. Health and Medicine: Production of drugs,
Biotechnology, Medicine, Geochemistry, vaccines and antibiotics.
Pharmacy etc. 2. Energy: Electricity from nuclear fission
reactions, burning of fossil fuels and the
Examples of Applied Chemistry use of solar panels
- Biochemistry 3. Textiles e.g., polyester, nylon, dye
- Pharmacy materials.
- Medicine 4. Food and Agriculture: Fertilizers, weed
- Soil and agriculture chemistry killers and pesticides help increase food
- Geochemistry: production.
- Industrial chemistry 5. Plastics, rubber and Ceramics
- Nuclear chemistry 6. Latex paints
- Structural chemistry 7. Fuel like petrol, diesel, kerosine etc.
- Polymer chemistry 8. Batteries
- Limnochemistry 9. Building Materials like Cement, Glass etc.
- Phytochemistry
 For deriving these units, we can multiply or
Physical Quantities and Their
divide the symbols for units as if they are
Measurements algebraic quantities.
• Volume = Length x Breadth x Height. If units
Physical quantity is a physical property of a
of length are m, then V = m x m x m = m3
material that can be quantified by measurement
and their measurement does not involve any
• Area = Length x Breadth = m x m = m2
chemical reaction.
Density = Mass / Volume
To express the measurement of any physical
quantity, two things are considered: = Kgm-3
(i) Its unit, • Acceleration = Velocity / Time
(ii) The numerical value. = ms−1 / s
Unit = ms-2
It is defined as ‘‘some fixed standard against • Force = Mass x acceleration
which the comparison of a physical quantity
can be done during measurement.’’ = Kgms-2

Units are of two types: • Pressure = Force / Area

(i) Basic units (ii) Derived units = Kgms−2 / m2

(i) The basic or fundamental units are length = Kgm-1s-2

(m), mass (kg), time (s), electric current (A), • Energy or Work = Force x distance
thermodynamic temperature (K), amount of = Kgms-2 x m
substance (mol) and luminous intensity (Cd). = Kgm2s-2
In Chemistry we use the International system = Joule
of units or SI units which contains the following = Nm
seven basic units. • Electric charge = current x time
= As = Coulomb
Name of
Physical Quantity Symbol
Unit • Electric potential = Energy / Charge

Mass (m) Kilogram Kg = kgm2s−2 / A.s

= Joule.A-1s-1
Length (l) Meter m
= Volt
Temperature (T) Kelvin K

Amount of Substance (n) Mole mol Derived Quantity Name of Unit Abbreviation

Velocity, v Metre per sec. ms−1

Time (t) Seconds s
Area, A Square Metre m2
Electric Current (I) Ampere A Volume, V Cubic Metre m3
Luminous Intensity (Iv) Candela Cd Density, P Kilogram m−3 Kgm−3
Energy, E Joule (J) Kg m2s−2
Force, F Newton (N) Kg ms−2
(ii) Derived units are basically derived from
the fundamental units, e.g., unit of density is Frequency, V Hertz Cycle per sec
derived from units of mass and volume. Pressure, P Pascal (Pa) Nm−2
Electrical charge Coulomb (C) As
Prefixes scales (°C and °F) are related to each other by
the following relationship:
The SI units of some physical quantities are
either too small or too large. To change the °F = 9/5(°C) + 32
order of magnitude, these are expressed by
The kelvin scale is related to Celsius scale as
using prefixes before the name of base units.
follows:
The various prefixes are listed as:
K = °C + 273.15.
(iv) Volume: The space occupied by matter
(usually by liquid or a gas) is called its volume.
Its unit is m3.
(v) Density: It is defined as the amount or mass
per unit volume and has units kgm−3 or g cm−3.

Scientific Notation
In such notation, all measurements (how so
ever large or small) are expressed as a number
between 1.000 and 9.999 multiplied or divided
by 10.
In general, it is given as = N ×10n
Here, N is called digit term (1.000–9.999) and
n is known as exponent. E.g., 138.42 cm can
be written as 1.3842 × 102 and 0.0002 can be
written as 2.0 × 10−4.

Rounding Off the Numerical Results

Examples
When a number is rounded off, the number of
• 1000g = 1 × 103g = 1kg significant figures is reduced, the last digit
• 1 cm3 = (1 × 10-2m)3 = 1 × 10-6 m3 retained is increased by 1 only if the following
• 1 dm3 = (1 × 10-1m)3 = 1 × 10-3 m3 digit is ≥ 5 and is left as such if the following
• 1 liter = 1L = 1000mL = 1000 cm3 = 1 dm3 digit is ≤ 4, e.g.
12.696 can be written as 12.7
Some Physical Quantities 18.35 can be written as 18.4
(i) Mass: It is the amount of matter present in a 13.93 can be written as 13.9
substance. It remains constant for a substance
at all the places. Its unit is kg but in laboratories Some Useful Conversion Factors
usually gram is used.
1 Metre = 100 cm 1 m3 = 103L
(ii) Weight: It is the force exerted by gravity on
an object. It varies from place to place due to 1 km = 1000 m 1 dm3 = 1 L
change in gravity. Its unit is Newton (N).
1 kg = 1000 g 1 cm3 = 10–3L
(iii) Temperature: There are three common scale
to measure temperature °C (degree Celsius), °F 1 g = 1000 mg 1cm3 = 10-3dm3
(degree Fahrenheit) and K (kelvin). K is the SI
unit of temperature. The temperature on two
 The Scientific Method Laboratory Equipments & Uses

Scientific Method: - a logical method to find In most labs, you'll encounter the same basic
solutions of scientific problems. apparatus. Here, you will find a picture and an
explanation for how to use each piece of
Steps of Scientific Method
equipment.
1. Observation: - an act of recognizing and
noting a fact or occurrence.
Test Tube
2. Scientific Hypothesis: - an educated guess Used to hold, mix and
or a testable assumption to explain any test small amount of
observable phenomenon. chemicals
3. Experimentation or Control Test: - a test
performed by scientist and researcher to
increase the accuracy and reliability of an
Beaker
experimental test. It involves testing of two
Used to hold, mix, and
variables (manipulated and responding heat liquids
variables) while all other variables are
controlled.
a. Accuracy: - sometimes refer to as validity. It Conical flask
describes whether the result is correct. Used to collect filtered
b. Reproducibility: - sometimes refer to as liquids and hold
reliability. It describes the consistency and the liquids that need
mixing. Also used in
repeatability of the result.
titrations
c. Observations: - often involve making
measurements with scientific instrument(s).
4. Theory: - an idea that can explain a set of
observations that has stood up to repeated Measuring Cylinder
scrutiny. Used to measure the
volume of liquids
5. Scientific Law: - a concise statement that
summaries the results of many observations
and experiments. It describes the phenomenon
without trying to explain it. E.g., Grahams law
of Diffusion, Daltons law of partial Pressures Tongs
etc. used for holding hot
6. Model: - it gives a mind’s picture of how objects
something looks like or may look like. E.g.,
Rutherford and Thompsons model of the atom.
Limitations of Science: - science cannot
answer all questions. It can only tackle Dropping pipettes
“testable” hypothesis. Philosophical and used to transfer small
Religious Questions CANNOT be answered volumes of liquid
by science.
Electronic Balance
used to find the mass
of substances
Retort Stand
A piece of equipment
to which clamps are
Funnel attached to hold test
used for tubes and other
filtration with filter equipments such as
paper burette

Test tube rack

Holds test tubes in
the vertical position
Spatula
Used to dispense
solid chemicals from
their containers
Bunsen burner
Used to heat
substances in the lab.

Wire Gauze
Placed over the iron
Tripod Stand ring to prevent direct
Used to support the heating
apparatus during
heating

Burette
Used to dispense Plastic wash bottle
known amount of squeeze sides to
liquids accurately in dispense distilled
an experiment water

Pipette
Used to measure Test tube holder
accurate volume of used to hold test
liquids tube
 found in violation of this safety rule will be
Basic Safety Laboratory Practices barred from participating in future labs and
could result in suspension.
Having a strong set of overall laboratory safety
• Anyone wearing acrylic nails will not be
rules is essential to avoiding disasters in the
allowed to work with matches, lighted
lab. Some rules are NOT made to be broken.
splints, Bunsen burners, etc.
That is true of the rules used in a chemistry
• Do not lift any solutions, glassware or other
lab. They are really, truly for your safety and
types of apparatus above eye level.
not your humiliation. Below are some of the
rules that needs attention in the lab. • Follow all instructions given by your
teacher.
• Report all accidents, injuries, and breakage • Learn how to transport all materials and
of glass or equipment to instructor equipment safely.
immediately. • No eating or drinking in the lab at any time!
• Keep pathways clear by placing extra items • Before leaving the laboratory, clean your
(books, bags, etc.) on the shelves or under apparatus, work surface and your hands
the work tables. If under the tables, make well.
sure that these items cannot be stepped
on.
• Long hair (chin-length or longer) must be Hazardous Substances
tied back to avoid catching fire.
• Wear sensible clothing including footwear. A hazardous chemical is any substance that
Loose clothing should be secured so they poses a physical or health hazard to you or
do not get caught in a flame or chemicals. others in the workplace. To prevent accident
from occurring in various forms, safety
• Work quietly — know what you are doing
measures put in place are strictly adhered to.
by reading the assigned experiment before
you start to work. Pay close attention to any Accidents may come from:
cautions described in the laboratory
exercises • Chemicals
• Do not taste or smell chemicals. • Electrocution
• Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes • Cuts from broken glassware
when heating substances, dissecting, etc. • Burns
• Do not attempt to change the position of • Radiation
glass tubing in a stopper. • Spillage of liquid substances
• Never point a test tube being heated at • Poor Ventilation
another student or yourself. Never look into Possible side effects of exposure to
a test tube while you are heating it. hazardous substances
• Unauthorized experiments or procedures
must not be attempted. • poisoning
• Keep solids out of the sink. • nausea and vomiting
• Leave your work station clean and in good • headache
order before leaving the laboratory. • skin rashes, such as dermatitis
• Do not lean, hang over or sit on the • chemical burns
laboratory tables. • birth defects
• Do not leave your assigned laboratory • disorders of the lung, kidney or liver
station without permission of the teacher. • nervous system disorders.
• Learn the location of the fire extinguisher,
eye wash station, first aid kit and safety
shower.
• Fooling around or "horse play" in the
laboratory is absolutely forbidden. Students
The following hazard symbols are to be
studied in order to escape from the effects of
hazards in the Laboratory.
Explosives Health Hazard
These are chemicals Chemicals that may
and preparations that cause damage to
explode. health
E.g., H2SO4

Flammable Serious Health

Chemicals that may Hazard
catch fire in contact These are chemicals
with air, only need that can cause serious
brief contact with an and long-term damage
ignition source. to health.
E.g., Petrol, propane

Oxidizing Dangerous for the

A classification for environment
chemicals and Chemicals that may
preparations that present an immediate
react exothermically or delayed danger to
with other chemicals. one or more
E.g., H2O2, K2Cr2O7 components of the
environment
Gas under pressure Radioactive
Gas stored under Exposure to very high
pressure, such as levels of radiation can
ammonia or liquid cause acute health
nitrogen effects such as skin
burns and acute
radiation syndrome

Corrosive
Materials causing
skin corrosion/burns Personal Protective Equipments
or eye damage on
The reduction of hazards is achieved through
contact, or that are
wearing, using or handling some protective
corrosive to metals.
E.g., KOH, NaOH, equipments. Examples are as follows;
HCl, H2SO4 • Goggles: to protect the eyes from accident.
Toxic • Apron: to protect the body
Chemicals that at low • Gloves: to protect the hands from toxic
and very low levels chemicals
cause damage to • Respirator or Gas Mask: to prevent
health.
inhalation of dangerous gases.
• Eye Wash Station: a place to wash the eyes
• Fume Cupboard: to hold dangerous gases in
the laboratory so as not to spread.