The scope of chemistry

The scope of chemistry is extremely broad. It includes the whole universe and everything, animate and inanimate, in it. Chemistry is concerned not only with the composition of matter, but also with the energy and energy changes associated with matter. Through chemistry we seek to learn and to understand the general principles that govern the behaviour of all matter.

The chemist, like other scientists, observes nature and attempts to understand its secrets: What mates a rose red? Why is sugar sweet? What is occurring when iron rusts? Why is carbon monoxide poisonous? Why do people wither with age? Problems such as these – some of which have been solved, some of which are still to be solved – are part of what we call chemistry.

Now there are more than 30 different branches of chemistry. Some of them are: inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, nuclear chemistry, colloidal chemistry, and electrochemistry.

Inorganic chemistry deals with substances obtained directly or indirectly from minerals, ores and similar sources.

Organic chemistry deals with substances which are composed in part of carbon, and many of which are associated in some ways with living bodies, plants, and animals.

Physical chemistry is concerned with those parts of chemistry which are closely linked with physics. Physical chemistry includes many of the principles of physics as well as those of chemistry. The knowledge of this division of the science is particularly important in all fields of chemistry, since its fundamental laws of the basis on the different divisions are established upon.

Analytical chemistry is concerned with the identification, separation, and quantitative measurement of the composition of different substances that occur in nature.

Nuclear chemistry deals with the transformations of atomic nuclear and with the reactions which take place between them.

Colloidal chemistry is concerned with special properties of substances in a finely dispersed condition.

Electrochemistry is concerned with the relation between electriсаl energy and chemical change. Electrolysis is the process whereby electrical energy causes a chemical change in the conducting medium, which usually is a solution or a molten substance. The process is generally used as a method of deposition of metals from a solution.

The body of chemical knowledge is so vast that no one can hope to master it all, even in a lifetime of study. However, many of basic concepts can be learned in a relatively short period of time. These basic concepts have become part of the education required for many professionals including agriculturists, biologists, dental hygienists, dentists, medical technologists, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, physicians, and veterinarians, to name just a few.

3. Divide the text into some logical parts and entitle them.

4. Translate the following sentences into English using lexical material of the text:

1. Химики наблюдают за природой и пытаются понять (разгадать) её секреты.

2. Некоторые проблемы всё ещё должны быть разрешены.

3. Существует более 30 различных отраслей химии.

4. Неорганическая химия рассматривает вещества, полученные из минералов.

5. Физхимия включает многие принципы как физики, так и химии.

6. Электрохимия изучает процессы электролиза.