Module No.

INTRODUCTION

2nd Semester 2023

Ruel S. Encela
Assistant Professor I
 CHEMISTRY

Chemistry is a branch of science that studies matter- its composition, properties,

states, changes, transformation, and interaction from one form to another.

IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY TO DAILY LIFE

What is your morning routine before going to school? What do you do the
moment you get up from bed? What do you usually have for breakfast? How do you
get to your school? On your way to school, what do you see around you? Keeping
these questions and answers in mind, do the following activity that will further put
chemistry in a real-life context, that is, experiencing chemistry in your classroom.
Chemistry is important because everything you do is made of chemicals.
Chemical reactions occur when you breathe, eat, or read. All matter is made of
chemicals and medications, so the importance of chemistry is that it’s the study of
everything.

ROLE OF CHEMISTRY IN SOCIETY

The importance of chemistry to daily life may be further observed with the role of
chemistry in society. Moreover, you will see the significance of chemistry with its
contribution to other fields.
Chemistry has helped advance human civilization. Society has benefited from
chemistry in so many ways. Through research in chemistry, crop–enhancing
agricultural chemicals have been synthesized to ensure that society will have a
constant and viable food supply.
Treatment processes have been developed to make water fit for human
consumption.
Lifesaving pharmaceuticals have been formulated to eradicate deadly diseases,
and synthetic plastics and fibers have been produced for industrial and consumer
use.
Chemistry also plays an important role in producing shelter and clothing
materials.
Chemistry has given numerous other benefits to mankind. In all these, we can
see that chemistry has a huge and vital role in technological development.

TASKS OF A CHEMIST
Chemists are scientists trained to apply chemistry principles in various fields of
work. They do laboratory work, analyses, and experiments contributing to scientific
and technological advancements. The results of the chemists’ innovative thinking,
valuable work, and achievements have contributed to giving mankind a better quality
of life.

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CAREERS USING CHEMISTRY
Aside from chemists, there are other careers that make use of chemistry
principles in their fields. Agriculturists, Food technologists, materials engineers,
meteorologists, pharmacists and etc.

WHAT IS CHEMISTRY?
Chemistry is the central science. This means that a basic understanding of
chemistry is essential in the study of all other fields of science: physics, biology, earth
science, and others. Chemistry – is likewise central to our daily lives – be it as
individuals or as a society.
Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition, structure, properties, the
processes that matter undergoes, and the energy changes accompanying these
processes.
In studying chemistry, questions that you may ask include: What is the
composition of this solid? What are the properties of this liquid? What happens to
this material when cooled or heated? In fact, these are some questions that chemists
answer when they work.

BRANCHES OF CHEMISTRY
1. Organic chemistry – the study of carbon–based compounds, with few
exceptions like carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide. (CO2).
2. Inorganic chemistry – the study of compounds that do not contain carbon.
3. Biochemistry – the study of the chemistry of living systems.
4. Analytical chemistry – the study of the quality and quantity of components
of substances.
5. Physical chemistry – the study of mechanism, rates and energetics of
chemical reactions.

CONTRIBUTION OF CHEMISTRY TO OTHER SCIENCES

1. Medicine and Pharmaceuticals
➢ Health care has improved due to new drugs and patient-care products
that have been discovered, processed, and commercially produced
worldwide. These products have most resulted from laboratory
experiments in the chemistry field that were later clinically tested by
doctors. Antipyretics, analgesics, antibiotics, antibacterial drugs, and
anti-cancer drugs are just some of these very useful pharmaceutical and
medicinal products.

2. Food
➢ The nutrients in different natural foods have been identified by means
of experiments that determine chemical structures and reactions.
Proteins, Carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals became known.
Their importance is now better explained, and we know how they can
be preserved or lost. Natural food materials are now processed to delay
food spoilage and improve food's saleable properties.

3. Biotechnology

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 ➢ Biotechnology describes the use of organisms and biological processes
to provide food, chemicals, and services to meet the needs of humans.
This

definition includes agriculture, horticulture, and many aspects of

applied biology.

4. Agriculture
➢ Organic Farming – Pesticides and fertilizers are essential for increasing
production. However, these chemicals have also been found to have
negative effects on man and the environment.

CHEMIST can contribute in the following areas.

1. Government
2. Industry
3. Academe

1. GOVERNMENT
a. ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
▪ Bureau of Customs
▪ Bureau of Mines
▪ Bureau of Plant Industry
▪ Bureau of Soils
▪ Department of Agriculture
▪ Manila Water, Maynilad
b. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
▪ EMB
▪ DENR

c. FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
▪ NBI
▪ PNP Crime Laboratory

d. METEOROLOGY
▪ PAGASA
▪ Observatories

e. NUCLEAR SCIENCE
▪ PNRI
▪ Nuclear Plants

f. RESEARCH
▪ DOST

2. INDUSTRY
a. LABORATORY
▪ Research and Development
▪ Quality Control

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 ▪ Quality Assurance
▪ Sales/Marketing

b. TECHNICAL SERVICE (to customers)

PURCHASING
MANAGEMENT
▪ Supervisor
▪ Executive
c. PRODUCTION
▪ Trainor
▪ Administrative/Supervisor
▪ Warehouse/Packaging
▪ Production Planner
▪ Plant Manager

d. INTERNATIONAL BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES

3. ACADEME
a. INSTRUCTOR/ PROFESSOR
▪ Organic Chemist
▪ Natural Products/Polymer Chemist
▪ Environmental Chemist
▪ Biochemist
▪ Medicinal Chemist
▪ Analytical/ Instrumental Chemist
▪ Physical Chemist
▪ Inorganic Chemist

b. Administrator
c. Consultant

WPU-QSF-ACAD-82A Rev. 00 (09.15.20)

WPU-QSF-ACAD-82A Rev. 00 (09.15.20)