My Share Learning Content: 1.1 Chemistry and its importance

The Meaning of Chemistry
■ Chemistry

	►	The scientific study of the properties, composition and structure of substances found around us.
	►	The changes which occur when these substances interact with one another.

■ Chemicals and their usage

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Most activities in daily life involve chemical reactions.

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Chemical used in daily life are produced by chemical-based industries.

Chemical	Uses
Cement	Used as construction materials of buildings
Salt	Used in cooking. Used as a food preservative to enable food to last longer.
Paint	Used to protect surfaces.
Cleaning agent	Used as washing agents to remove stains.
Medicine	Used to cure diseases.

Career in the field of chemistry

Career

Description

Ecologist

To study the nature of chemical substances in the surroundings.

Genetic scientist and engineer

To study the genetic and chemical composition of chromosomes and the effect of engineering on their composition

Geochemist/Geology

To study the nature of chemical substances on earth.

Pharmacologists

To study and synthesize new medicines and drugs and their effect on various diseases.

Career in the field of chemistry

Field

Description

Petroleum and natural gas industry

Provide fuel source for vehicles and cook.

Chemical industry

Make petrochemical materials such as polyvinyl chloride or PVC and plastic objects such as pails and electronic components.

Agricultural chemical industry

Make pesticides and fertilisers

Food industry

Produce food additives such as food flavouring.
Produce preservative agent such as sodium benzoate.

Pharmaceutical industry

Produces, and markets drugs licensed for use as medications.

Electronic industry

Electronic industry. Produce microchips from semiconductors such as silicone and ceramic.
Produce superconductors to process information faster.

✍ Worked-example 1.1(a)
Fill in the blanks with suitable words.

(a)	__________Chemistry is a field of study related structures, composition, properties and interactions of matter.
(b)	A __________pharmacist requires both chemical and medical knowledge to discover new drugs to cure a disease.
(c)	__________Geochemist involves in the research on chemical in the Earth's crust.
(d)	__________Chemical-based industry produce a wide range of useful products for consumers and contribute to economy development of country.