1.

1 Definition and Scope of Chemistry

1.1.1 Definition of Chemistry
Chemistry is the science that deals with the properties, composition,
and structure of substances (elements and compounds), the
transformations they undergo, and the energy that is released or
absorbed during these processes.

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 A substance is a particular kind of matter with uniform properties.
Example, gold, silver, water, soap, table salt, etc.
 Matter is a physical substance, that which occupies space and
possesses rest mass. Example, book, pencil, television, stool, etc.
 The property of a substance is its attribute, quality, or characteristic.
 Composition is the nature of something’s ingredients or
constituents; how a whole or mixture is made up.

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 The arrangement and relationships between the parts or elements
of something complex is known as its structure.
 The transformation of a substance is a marked change in form,
nature, or appearance. These transformations are accompanied by
energy changes.

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1.1.2 Scope of Chemistry
The five main disciplines(area of study) of chemistry
i. Physical chemistry: It is the study of macroscopic properties, atomic
properties, and phenomena in chemical systems.
ii. Organic chemistry: It is the study of substances containing carbon.
iii. Inorganic chemistry: It is the study of substances that are not primarily
based on carbon. Inorganic chemicals are commonly found in rocks and
minerals.
iv. Analytical chemistry: It is the study of the composition of matter. It
focuses on separating, identifying, and quantifying chemicals in samples
of matter.
v. Biochemistry: It is the study of chemical processes that occur in living
things.

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Cont’d
Chemistry is about looking for patterns in the way substances
behave.
Chemistry affects all aspects of life and most natural events.
The scope of chemistry includes agriculture, medicine food
production, and building construction
Chemistry, however, is not only involved in providing useful
substances, but it can also result in very dangerous substances that
can negatively affect human being’s life and the environment (eg.
fluorochlorohydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, carbon, and sulphur).

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Cont’d

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1.2 The Relationship Between Chemistry and
Other Natural Sciences
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.
Different branches of science
 Biology is the study of living things.
 Geology is the study of rocks and the earth.
 Physics is concerned with the nature and properties of matter and
energy.

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Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes occurring in living
matter.
Geochemistry is defined as the study of the processes that control the
abundance, composition, and distribution of chemical compounds and
isotopes in geologic environments.
Physical chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the
application of the techniques and theories of physics to the study of
chemical systems.
Chemical physics is the branch of physics that studies chemical
processes from the point of view of physics.
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Cont’d

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1.3 The Role Chemistry Plays in Production and in
the Society
A. Agriculture
• The study of chemistry has brought the world with chemical
fertilizers such as calcium super phosphate, urea, ammonium
sulphate, and sodium nitrate.
• Chemistry has been effective in the manufacture of
pesticides, which have lessened the crop damage. Depending
on the targeted pest, pesticides include fungicides, herbicides,
and insecticides.
• Chemistry has also an important role in the manufacturing of
better quality plastic pipes for irrigation, and is commonly
used in farming.
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B. Food Production
• Chemistry has led to the discovery of different kinds
of food preservatives.
• Chemistry has given methods to test the presence of
adulterants which ensure the supply of pure foodstuff.
• Consumers have benefited from new technologies that
have increased their food’s availability, appearance,
nutritional contents and flavor.
• A local example of food processing and keeping it for
a longer period of time is the preservation of raw meat.
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C. Medicine
• Chemistry has played a crucial role in the development of
life-saving medicines. From finding cures for dysentery
and pneumonia to combating cancer and AIDS.
Let's explore some of the common drugs that chemistry
has provided to the world.

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 Analgesics
An analgesic or painkiller is any
Disinfectants member of the group of drugs used Anesthetics
Are used to kill the microbe to achieve analgesia, relief from Has made medical operations more
present in toilets, floors, and pain. and more effective via relieving
drains. The sanitizers we use for pain.
Covid-19 belong to this group.

Common Drugs
Chemistry Provided

Tranquillizers Antibiotics
To reduce tension and bring about Are used to control infection and
calm and peace to patients cure diseases.
suffering from mental diseases. Antiseptics
Are used to contamination of the
wounds by bacteria.

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D. Building Construction Materials
• By providing building resources such as glass, steel
and cement, chemistry helps in the construction of
safer houses and multi-story structures.
• It also helps in the construction of long-lasting and
durable dams and bridges.
• The best example here could be the Grand Ethiopian
Renaissance Dam (GERD) which is under
construction in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region.

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1.4 Some Common Chemical Industries in Ethiopia

Industry:
• Is an economic activity concerned with the processing of raw
materials and the manufacture of goods in factories.
• It can also be interpreted as a group of companies that are linked
based on their primary business activities.
Chemical industries:
• Sectors of the economy that are involved in the production,
processing, and distribution of varies chemicals.
• These industries play a crucial role in the manufacturing of a
wide range of products, including pharmaceuticals, plastics,
fertilizers, petrochemicals, paints, dyes, textiles and many others.
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Chemical products:
Products manufactured, processed, sold, or distributed by the
company that are chemical substances, or that contained chemical
substances.
Three general classes of products are:
1. Basic chemicals such as alkalis, acids, organic chemicals, and
salts.
2. Chemical products to be used in further manufactures such as
plastic materials, synthetic fibers, pigments, and dry colors.
3. Finished chemical products to be used for ultimate
consumption such as cosmetics, drugs, and soaps; or to be used
as materials or supplies in other industries such as fertilizers,
paints, and explosives.

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Review Exercise (Selected)
Part I: Basic Level Questions.
Identify each of the following statements as ‘True’ or ‘False’. Give
your reason(s) for false statements.
1. Chemistry is a science that deals with the study of the way
living things behave.
2. Every substance in the universe, in which we live, has its own
properties by which we can distinguish it from other substances.
3. The study of chemistry involves only microscopic information.

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Part II: Intermediary Level Questions.
Fill in the blank spaces.
1. ___________ is the nature of something’s ingredients or
constituents; the way in which a whole or mixture is made up.
2. The arrangement of and relations between the parts or
elements of something complex is known as its ___________.
3. ___________ is a power derived from the utilization of
physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and
heat.

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Part III: Challenge Level Questions.

Provide appropriate answers to the following questions.
1. How does chemistry play a role in increasing comfort,
pleasure, and luxuries?
2. What are the five fields of chemistry?
3. Which branch of chemistry has the highest scope? Why?

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