Chemistry quality control programs minimize errors in analytical laboratories, including controls on reagents, procedures, and personnel training. Proper programs are essential for a lab’s reputation, and round-robin sampling programs and blind sample subscriptions can evaluate performance. Industrial and medical labs have specific requirements for their quality control programs. Warehouse workers must follow precise procedures, and […]
Combustion chemistry studies how things burn through chemical reactions that produce heat and light. It explores types of reactions, combustion efficiency, energy generation, safety, and prevention of unintentional burning. Researchers work in labs and collaborate with organizations to advance chemistry and develop safety protocols. Students can pursue this field in colleges and universities with dedicated […]
The critical point is a condition in thermodynamics where the distinction between gas and liquid phases disappears, creating a supercritical fluid. This point is displayed on a phase diagram and has many applications in science and industry, such as in the production of biodiesel fuels. Critical point is a term used in thermodynamics to describe […]
Carbohydrate chemistry studies the properties, reactions, and structures of compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates include sugars, starch, and cellulose, and are an essential energy source for animals. Monosaccharides are simple carbohydrates, while complex carbohydrates are made up of many monosaccharide units. Different carbohydrates can have the same formula but different structures, […]
A heterogeneous mixture is a combination of visible components that retain their properties without chemical reactions. It differs from compounds and homogeneous mixtures and can be separated by simple processes. The term comes from Greek words meaning “different things.” A heterogeneous mixture has several components that are clearly visible and possess clearly identifiable separate properties […]
The limiting reactant is the substance that will be used up first in a chemical reaction, and it determines the amount of product that can be produced. A balanced equation can help determine the proportion of each reactant needed, and knowing the number of moles of each substance is necessary to determine the limiting reactant. […]
Green chemistry aims to make research and its results environmentally sound. The 12 principles of green chemistry emphasize the use of renewable resources and minimization of hazardous waste. Examples include Teflon® production using carbon dioxide and safer pesticides. Green Chemistry is a scientific journal, and others are in development. Green chemistry is basic chemistry with […]
Sigma bonds are covalent bonds with electron density concentrated along the internuclear axis. They occur when atomic orbitals overlap symmetrically around the axis. Pi bonds are weaker and occur when orbitals overlap away from the axis. Double and triple bonds have one sigma bond and one or two pi bonds respectively. Formaldehyde has three sigma […]
Medicinal chemistry combines chemistry and pharmacology to develop drugs suitable for human use. Chemists draw on various interdisciplinary topics to create new drugs, which undergo extensive research and testing before being regulated and marketed. A general chemistry degree is often sufficient for a position in the pharmaceutical industry. The release of new drugs involves political, […]
Neutralization is when an acid and a base react to form water and a salt. The pH scale measures acidity, with 1 being a strong acid and 14 a strong base. The reactivity series determines which chemical displaces the other in a reaction. A common example is hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide forming salt and […]
Divalent refers to an atom or ion with valence two, meaning it has two valence electrons to form bonds. Divalent ions are important in biological systems and can be found in group 2 of the periodic table. Calcium and magnesium cations play important roles in biological processes. In chemistry, divalent is an older term for […]
A chemistry assistant helps a leading chemist in experiments with chemical compounds, following safety guidelines, recording results, cleaning the lab, and keeping track of inventory. They must adhere to protocol and wear safety equipment while handling dangerous chemicals. A chemistry assistant is a person who assists a leading chemist in carrying out experiments with various […]
Bench chemistry involves traditional experiments and demonstrations using basic equipment like test tubes, flasks, and a Bunsen burner. Benchtop chemistry techniques include analytical methods like titration, gravimetric analysis, flame tests, and borax bead tests. Over-the-counter methods can also be used to prepare or purify chemical samples. The bench refers to the traditional laboratory workbench, equipped […]
The term “salt bridge” has two meanings in chemistry: a conductive gel bond in voltaic cells and a molecule used to bridge sections of a macromolecule. Supramolecular chemistry uses salt bridges to create nanostructures. Without a salt bridge in a voltaic cell, electrons cannot flow through the wire. In self-assembly, a salt bridge can bridge […]
To earn a PhD in chemistry, one must first complete a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field, followed by a master’s degree or a program that offers a master’s degree. The program includes rigorous coursework, exams, and a final dissertation that must be presented and defended in front of a panel of experts. […]
- 1
- 2