Welcome!
In chemistry class we will be exploring the study of matter, energy, and the interactions between them. EVERYTHING is made up of chemicals in world, and in chemistry class you will be getting a better understanding of the natural phenomena that occur in the world while gaining insight into experimental design. You will also expanding on your previous mathematical knowledge and applying it to gain more knowledge about the real world. This is your chance to explore and question why certain occurrences and discover why they happen the way they do!
Why study Chemistry?
Because understanding chemistry helps you to understand the world around you. Every interaction you have with your environment can be broken down chemically, that means anything you can touch or taste or smell is a chemical interacting with the various chemicals you are made up of. When you study chemistry, you come to understand a bit about how things work. Chemistry isn't secret knowledge, useless to anyone but a scientist. Cooking is chemistry. It's the explanation for everyday things, like why laundry detergent works better in hot water or how baking soda works or why not all pain relievers work equally well on a headache. If you know some chemistry, you can make educated choices about everyday products that you use.
"Few scientists acquainted with the chemistry of biological systems at the molecular level can avoid being inspired."
- David Cram
What fields study Chemistry?
You could use chemistry in most fields, but it's most commonly seen in the sciences and in medicine. Chemists, physicists, biologists, and engineers all study chemistry somewhere in their career. Doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and veterinarians all take chemistry courses. If you teach science in any of the disciplines you must study chemistry. Fire fighters and people who make fireworks learn about chemistry. So do truck drivers, plumbers, artists, hairdressers, chefs... the list is extensive!
