FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY LECTURE 1 | An Introduction

CHAPTER 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY LECTURE 1

Science

The word Science is derived from the Latin word scientia, which means knowledge. A knowledge which can be verified (prove) by experiments is called Science. It is the knowledge that provides understanding of this world and how it works. Science develops through observations and experiments rather than speculations alone.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the study of properties, composition and structure of matter along with chemical changes involved in it and principles that govern these changes.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space is called matter. There are four states of matter:-

1.                   Solid	2.                   Liquid
3.                   Gas	4.                   Plasma

Importance of chemistry in our daily life

1. We live in the world of chemicals.
2. We use many important chemicals daily such as drugs, detergents, paper, paints, pigments, insecticides, pesticides and many petrochemical products.
3. Chemistry provides us knowledge and techniques which are used to improve our health and environment.
4. Chemistry helps us to explore and conserve the natural resources.
5. On the other hand the development of chemical industry has certain disadvantages also. For example it has generated toxic wastes, contaminated water and polluted air around us.

Historical Background about Matter

Greek philosophers

An ancient Greek philosopher, Empedocles thought that all the matter was made up of only four elements:

1. Earth                      2. Air                   3. Water                4. Fire

The Greek concept of four elements existed for more than two thousand years.

Plato adopted Empedocles theory and coined the term element to describe these substances.

Aristotle’s concept

Aristotle also adopted the concept of four elements. He thought that all matter was derived from four elements:-

• Earth: Earth is dry and cold
• Air: Air is wet and hot
• Fire: Fire is hot and dry
• Water: Water is cold and wet

Dalton’s Atomic Theory

In the beginning of 19th century John Dalton proposed an atomic theory. According to this theory matter is made up of small indivisible particles called atoms. The atoms of any one element are identical in all respects but different from those of other elements.

Main postulates of his theory are as follows:

1. All elements are composed of tiny indivisible particles called atoms.
2. Atoms of a particular element are identical. They have same mass and same volume.
3. During chemical reaction atoms combine or separate or re-arrange. They combine in simple ratios.
4. Atoms can neither be created nor be destroyed.

Modern picture of an atom

Modern research has clearly shown that atom is further composed of subatomic particles such as electron, proton and neutron.

Q. What do you know about the corpuscular nature of matter?

Ans. According to this concept matter is supposed to be composed of minute particles.

Empedocles concept:

An ancient Greek philosopher, Empedocles thought that all materials are made up of four things called elements. i.e. Earth, Air, Water and Fire

Plato concept:

Plato adopted Empedocles theory and evolves the term element to describe these four substances.

Aristotle concept:

Aristotle also adopted the concept of four elements. He introduced the idea that elements can be differentiated on the basis of properties such as hot versus cold and wet versus dry.

This concept of four elements existed for more than two thousand years.

Fundamentals of Chemistry Lecture 2

Structure of Atoms Lecture 2 | Rutherford's Atomic Model

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