The Universe and Chemistry

Composition of the Universe

• Universe is made of matter, 98% of which is Hydrogen and Helium
• Supergiant stars fused Hydrogen and Helium into other elements
• Elements combined into molecules, leading to chemistry

Human Interest in Chemistry

• Fire as an early chemical reaction essential for human development
• Development of techniques: cooking, metal from ores, making glass
• Advances in civilization: metalworking, fertilizers, new materials, and drugs

Basics of Chemistry

Matter

• Matter and its forms
• Atoms and the periodic table
  • Atoms: Protons, neutrons (nucleus), electrons
  • Behavior of electrons
• Molecules and Chemical Compounds
  • Compounds have different properties than their constituent elements
  • Crystal structures in solids
• Mixtures (e.g., air, cake)

Atomic Bonding

• Atoms bond by sharing or stealing electrons
• Energy minimization principle
• Energy’s role in chemical reactions and states of matter

Chemical Reactions

• Various types and fundamental chemical laws
• Conservation of mass and energy
• Reaction kinetics (rate of reactions)
• Redox reactions
• pH (acids and bases)
• Equilibrium in chemical reactions
• Plasma as a state of matter

Fields in Chemistry

Theoretical Chemistry

• Structures of atoms and molecules
• Quantum chemistry and computational chemistry
• Potential of quantum computers for chemical simulations

Physical Chemistry

• Studies energy, force, time, motion, thermodynamics
• Electrochemistry (e.g., batteries)
• Materials science (e.g., properties of materials, nuclear fusion reactors)

Analytical Chemistry

• Techniques to identify materials and components
  • Traditional techniques (e.g., precipitation)
  • Modern techniques (chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry)

Inorganic, Organic, and Biochemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

• Studies non-living compounds
• Applications in various industries
• Overlaps with materials science
• Organometallic chemistry: organic compounds with metals

Organic Chemistry

• Focus on carbon-based molecules
• Applications: fertilizers, pesticides, lubricants, plastics, pharmaceuticals
• Basis for biochemistry

Biochemistry

• Study of chemistry of living organisms
• Four main classes of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
• Applications in medicine, agriculture, and other fields

Chemistry as a Fascination

• Complexity of life based on simple chemical reactions
• Chemistry’s role from atoms to living cells
• Endlessly fascinating subject