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Science Encyclopedia Chemistry: An In-Depth Exploration of the Fundamental Science of Matter

F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Science Encyclopedia Chemistry (Rourke's World Of Science Encyclopedia)

by Jackie Minniti

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Language	:	English
Hardcover	:	160 pages
Item Weight	:	1 pounds
Dimensions	:	5.98 x 9.02 inches
File size	:	8255 KB
Print length	:	66 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Chemistry is the branch of science that studies the composition, structure, properties, and change of matter. It is a fundamental science that has applications in many fields, including medicine, engineering, and agriculture. Chemistry is also essential for understanding the natural world around us, from the air we breathe to the food we eat.

The Fundamental Principles of Chemistry

The fundamental principles of chemistry are based on the atomic theory. The atomic theory states that all matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, and they determine the properties of the substances they form.

The atomic theory was first proposed by John Dalton in 1803. Dalton's theory was based on his observations of the behavior of gases. He found that gases expand or contract when heated or cooled, and that the rate of expansion or contraction is proportional to the number of atoms in the gas.

Dalton's theory was later refined by other scientists, who discovered that atoms are not indivisible. Atoms are actually composed of even smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus of the atom, while electrons orbit the nucleus.

The number of protons in an atom determines the element to which the atom belongs. For example, all atoms with one proton are hydrogen atoms. All atoms with two protons are helium atoms, and so on.

The number of neutrons in an atom determines the isotope of the element to which the atom belongs. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. For example, carbon-12 has six protons and six neutrons, while carbon-14 has six protons and eight neutrons.

The number of electrons in an atom determines the chemical properties of the atom. Atoms with the same number of electrons have similar chemical properties. For example, all atoms with one electron in their outermost shell are highly reactive. These atoms are called alkali metals.

The Key Concepts of Chemistry

The key concepts of chemistry include:

The atomic theory
The periodic table
Chemical bonding
Chemical reactions
Thermochemistry
Kinetics
Equilibrium

The Periodic Table

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements. The elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. The periodic table is a powerful tool for organizing and understanding the chemical elements.

The periodic table can be used to predict the properties of an element based on its position in the table. For example, all elements in the same group (vertical column) have similar chemical properties. All elements in the same period (horizontal row) have the same number of electron shells.

Chemical Bonding

Chemical bonding is the process by which atoms join together to form molecules and compounds. There are several different types of chemical bonds, including covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and metallic bonds.

Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share electrons. Ionic bonds are formed when one atom transfers electrons to another atom. Metallic bonds are formed when metal atoms share electrons in a sea of electrons.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions are the processes by which atoms and molecules rearrange themselves to form new substances. Chemical reactions can be classified as either exothermic or endothermic.

Exothermic reactions release energy in the form of heat. Endothermic reactions absorb energy in the form of heat.

Thermochemistry

Thermochemistry is the study of the energy changes that occur during chemical reactions. Thermochemistry can be used to predict the spontaneity of a reaction and to calculate the amount of heat that is released or absorbed during a reaction.

Kinetics

Kinetics is the study of the rates of chemical reactions. Kinetics can be used to predict how fast a reaction will occur and to identify the factors that affect the rate of a reaction.

Equilibrium

Equilibrium is a state of balance in which the forward and reverse reactions of a chemical reaction occur at the same rate. Equilibrium is a dynamic state, meaning that the concentrations of the reactants and products do not change over time.