Imagine that you are a house builder clicking here. Evidently, you would not simply build some walls. The first thing you’d do is to have a good foundation. The vast field of Chemistry has something similar, the molecular foundation.
Take a trip back with me to your science class from high school. Remember those wall-mounted periodic charts? These vibrant grids represented more than just a colourful display. Chemical reactions are centered around elements like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen. What is it that makes these components work together so well? Here is where our central concept becomes useful.
Imagine that you are attending a party where you want to introduce two people who never met each other before. The two may click instantly, or the situation could be awkward. The same is true for chemical reactions. It is not always true that molecules and atoms will come together perfectly. They may require catalysts, or even certain conditions.
Do you want to bake cookies? Butter, eggs sugar and flour are all combined. The cookies won’t come out right if the baking powder isn’t added or if the temperature is incorrect. Catalysts in chemistry serve the same function as baking soda, speeding up reactions without being consumed.
Ever wondered why stainless steel rusts while iron doesn’t? Key factors include the stability and the reactivity. Oxidation occurs when airborne oxygen and vaporized water combine with iron to produce rust. A protective coating is used to stop this reaction due to the presence of chromium.
Enzymes are tiny protein molecules found in our bodies that help biochemical processes to run more quickly. These enzymes keep us alive. It would take a long time to digest food without enzymes. Natural enzymes are responsible for the efficient functioning of our bodies.
Are you able to remember using Legos for fun as a youngster? Depending on its shape and size, each Lego piece can be connected using a different method. Compounds are formed by atoms joining together with the help of their valence-electrons.
Salt is a good example. The basic form of salt is sodium chloride. The common sodium salt is made when chlorine (Cl), which gains an extra electron, loses one and becomes negatively-charged.
For example, we can look at how the energy changes in chemical reactions. When fireworks explode due to exothermic reaction, they release energy in form of heat and lights.
A final thing to think about: Have your pulse ever raced after you drank coffee? Due to caffeine’s interaction with neurotransmitters and its effect on brain function, it shows how even the smallest chemicals can have a huge impact!
A chemical equilibrium is another feature that is worth noting. It is like balancing scales because it is able to maintain stability in industrial and biological processes.
You can also calculate pH, which is an acidity/alkalinity scale from 0-14 with 7 as neutral. Anything below 7 pH is acidic. Anything over 7 pH is alkaline. It impacts everything from soil fertility, plant growth, healthcare products, maintaining skin health, beverages, influencing taste, etc. Understanding chemical properties is important for real-world applications, such as agriculture, medicine and food industry, environmental science, engineering, among others.
As a conclusion, consider the numerous repeating units found in plastics. The diversity of rubber fibers, protein, and DNA in terms of their structural and function, along with the many applications that they have, highlights the importance for studying molecular architectures and coming up with creative solutions to problems that humans face today and the future. Curios minds will find endless possibilities as they explore the depths scientific knowledge to improve and enhance future generations.