Chemistry studies atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions that transform compounds and produce or consume energy. It began in the 17th century with Robert Boyle’s experiments and Antoine Lavoisier’s theory of conservation of mass. John Dalton’s atomic theory followed. Chemistry is essential for producing many things and consumes a significant portion of humanity’s energy budget. Chemical engineering is a high-paying career.
Chemistry is the study of atoms, molecules and the interactions they undergo, called chemical reactions. Through the breaking and formation of atomic bonds, various compounds are transformed into new compounds, producing or consuming energy in the process. Energy can be released in the form of heat or light, such as in a fire or explosion. By harnessing what scientists know about chemical reactions, it is possible to produce chemicals with useful properties.
The word comes from the slang term for the older term, “alchemist.” Modern chemistry is generally believed to have begun in the 17th century, primarily with the experiments and writings of Robert Boyle. It was Boyle who formulated Boyle’s law, which holds that the temperature and volume of a gas are related.
Another important milestone was the theory of the conservation of mass, developed by Antoine Lavoisier in 1783. The law holds that no mass is created or destroyed in a chemical reaction: if someone burns a log in a closed container, the container will weigh exactly as it did before the reaction, only it will be changed to ashes. Because of his efforts to popularize chemistry and make it more accessible to the common person, Lavoisier is often considered the father of modern chemistry.
Another milestone in the development of the field was John Dalton’s formulation of atomic theory around 1800. Atomic theory holds that substances are made of small individual units called atoms that connect to each other through atomic bonds. An aggregation of bonded atoms is called a molecule. Atoms and molecules make up nearly everything people can see, and they interact intimately with energy, often in the form of electromagnetic radiation. It was soon realized that electromagnetic radiation can be released when the electrons in an atom shift to a lower energy state.
Today, chemistry is a fundamental part of civilization. It is used to produce just about everything, and chemical processing is ubiquitous and consumes a major portion of humanity’s total energy budget. Being a chemical engineer is one of the highest paying science careers.
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