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Chemistry is the study of matter and chemists analyze the properties of substances to identify chemicals. Chemical analysis involves qualitative and quantitative methods, with the latter determining the amount of a chemical in a mixed substance. Analytical chemistry is used in various fields, including medicine, cosmetics, and manufacturing.
To understand chemical analysis, it is important to first understand what chemistry is. Chemistry is the scientific study of matter in all its forms, and matter is anything that has mass – or load-bearing properties – and takes up space. Scientists called chemists study the chemistry of things: what they are made of, how they behave under certain circumstances and on their own, and how to identify certain chemicals. The process by which this is done is called chemical analysis. There are two main types, called qualitative and quantitative.
In qualitative analysis, a chemical evaluation is usually performed on one substance at a time. The substance in question is referred to as the analyte. The first step is to understand which properties are unique to that substance, or the ‘differentiating characteristic’. Any number of properties can be unique to a substance, including but not limited to solvency (how the substance dissolves in different solutions, as well as what it dissolves in) and whether the substance absorbs or reflects light. Once the first phase of the test is complete, the scientist performing the analysis must then find a way to identify the unique characteristics and compare the results with other similar or conflicting results.
Once qualitative analysis has been performed, scientists can then perform quantitative analysis, or the process of determining the amount of a particular chemical in a mixed substance. This involves another battery of tests using the results of the quantitative analysis. Scientists identify unique characteristics of chemicals and compare them to other qualities within the subject in question. These processes are often performed in specialized chemical laboratories, as the equipment is specialized and handling certain chemicals can be dangerous.
Analytical chemistry is used by a variety of professions and in a variety of fields. Doctors and others in the medical and forensic fields often use chemical analysis directly. Pharmaceutical companies and cosmetic companies often rely on its results. This process can also be found in unlikely places, such as the manufacturing of household items, cleaning products, and consumer foods. It can also play a role in other day-to-day elements, such as when a company will attempt to emulate other companies’ products or when companies measure their environmental impact.
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