List of basic chemistry topics

List of Basic Chemistry Topics

Chemistry is the scientific discipline involved with elements and compounds composed of atoms, molecules, and ions: their composition, structure, properties, behavior, and the changes they undergo during a reaction with other substances. Below is a list of basic chemistry topics that serve as the foundation for understanding the principles and applications of chemistry in various fields.

Atoms and Molecules

• Atom: The basic unit of a chemical element. Atoms consist of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
• Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.
• Ionic bonding: A type of chemical bond that involves the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
• Covalent bonding: A chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
• Molecular structure: The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule.

States of Matter

• Solid: One of the states of matter characterized by structural rigidity and resistance to changes in shape or volume.
• Liquid: A nearly incompressible fluid that conforms to the shape of its container but retains a (nearly) constant volume independent of pressure.
• Gas: An air-like fluid substance which expands freely to fill any space available, irrespective of its quantity.
• Plasma: An ionized gas, a distinct state of matter containing a significant number of electrically charged particles.

Chemical Reactions

• Chemical reaction: A process that leads to the chemical transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.
• Catalysis: The acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst.
• Oxidation-reduction (redox): A type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between two species.
• Acid-base reaction: A reaction where an acid reacts with a base to produce water and a salt.

Periodic Table and Elements

• Periodic table: A tabular display of the chemical elements, organized on the basis of their atomic numbers, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties.
• Element: A substance consisting of atoms which all have the same number of protons.
• Metal: A category of elements that are typically shiny, malleable, and good conductors of electricity and heat.
• Nonmetal: Elements, not having the characteristics of metals, that are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
• Metalloid: Elements with properties in between those of metals and nonmetals.

Organic Chemistry

• Organic chemistry: The study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds that contain carbon in covalent bonding.
• Hydrocarbon: Compounds composed of only hydrogen and carbon.
• Functional group: A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a particular compound.

Analytical Chemistry

• Analytical chemistry: The study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of natural and artificial materials.
• Spectroscopy: The study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.
• Chromatography: A technique for separating mixtures into their components.

Physical Chemistry

• Physical chemistry: The study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of the principles, practices, and concepts of physics.
• Thermodynamics: The branch of physical science that deals with the relations between heat and other forms of energy.
• Chemical kinetics: The study of rates of chemical processes.

Biochemistry

• Biochemistry: The branch of science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms.
• Enzyme: Macromolecular biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions.
• Metabolism: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.

Environmental Chemistry

• Environmental chemistry: The scientific study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places.
• Pollution: The introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change.
• Green chemistry: The design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.