# data[].attributes.body
INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

Chemistry is a laboratory science whose subject matter and theories are based on experimental observations.
However, it's scope goes beyond the laboratory and into every aspect of life.
That is to say; chemistry is applied in our everyday life, it helps is understand the nature of our planet, the environment we live in, the resources available to us and the things that affect our health
Therefore; chemistry can be defined as the study of matter and changes that occur to substances under different conditions

Question
Why is Chemistry Studied?

We live in a world that faces a variety of complex and ever-changing issues. A clear understanding of scientific concepts and thinking is essential for a citizen who can make proper decisions. For example, combating climate change, finding alternative energy sources, providing sustainable supply of clean water and development of medicines all require the appropriate knowledge of chemistry.

We use substances, such as metals, oil, salts, cement and limestone as raw materials for the manufacture of tools, machines, houses, clothing and other important materials which we need in everyday life.
Scientists also find ways of converting natural substances into new substances. The change of substances into new ones is called chemical reaction

Chemistry in everyday day life

# data[].attributes.body
Soap is a sodium or potassium salt of a long chain carboxylic acid (fatty acids). Soap consists of a long chain hydrocarbon chain with a carboxylic acid on one end which is bonded to a metal usually sodium or potassium. Soaps are also known as soapy detergents

Soap has a large non-ionic hydrocarbon group and an ionic group COO-Na+
The hydrocarbon end is non-polar and is soluble in non-polar substances (such as
fats and oils), and the ionic end (the salt of a carboxylic acid) is soluble in water.

Preparation of soap

Soap is manufactured by hydrolysis of fats and oils in a process known as saponification. The fats and oils from (animals e.g. beef or other fat and plants e.g. palm oil, coconut oil etc.) are heated with a concentrated alkali (concentrated sodium hydroxide) until saponification is complete; sodium chloride is then added to precipitate the soap in a process known as salting out. The soap is then filtered off, washed. Additives such as preservatives, colour and perfume may be added to the soap
and then it can be compressed into bars.

# data[].attributes.headline
Laboratory preparation of a soapless detergent from dodecanol (dodecyl alcohol) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Laboratory preparation of a soapless detergent from dodecanol (dodecyl alcohol) 

# data[].attributes.body
✓Place 5 cm3 of dodecanol into a 100 cm3 beaker

✓Measure 2 cm3 of concentrated sulphuric acid, H2SO4, in a 10 cm3 graduated cylinder. With stirring, slowly add the 2 cm3 of concentrated sulphuric acid to
the dodecanol in the beaker.

✓Continue to stir for 1 minute after addition of the sulphuric acid is complete. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes.

✓Fill a 250cm3 beaker one-third full of ice, add about 10 g of sodium chloride, NaCl, and mix thoroughly.

✓Add water to bring the total volume of the mixture to 75 cm3.

✓Mix 5 cm3 of 6 M sodium hydroxide with 10 cm3 of water in a small beaker

✓Mix well, and then add 4 drops of phenolphthalein indicator. The pink color of the phenolphthalein may begin to fade in the strongly basic solution.

✓Prepare a mixture of about 25 cm3 of ice water. After the 10 minutes, carefully pour the sodium hydroxide solution into the dodecanol-sulfuric acid mixture.

✓Stir until the pink color disappears. A large amount of solid detergent should
form.

✓Pour the detergent mixture into the ice-salt bath. Stir to break up large lumps
of detergent.

✓Filter the precipitated detergent mixture through 2-3 layers of cheesecloth in a
funnel mounted on a ring stand.

✓Wash the collected detergent twice with 10 cm3 portions of ice-cold water.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Fig 1.2a: Some products made by the knowledge of chemistry

# data[].attributes.body
Chemistry deals with the study of the substances around us. The study of chemistry involves the air we breathe, the materials we use, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and all the other materials present in our environment.

The figure 1.1a shows some of the products made by the knowledge of chemistry. Identify these products and their usage in daily life.

Many products as shown above are made with the knowledge of chemistry. Also their production and usage in everyday life requires special skills.

Explore your environment and Identify other substances used in everyday life made with the knowledge of chemistry

https://youtu.be/j4Cn0kzM-Mg

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Fig 1.1b: products from different materials

# data[].attributes.headline
How is Chemistry Related to the Other Branches of Science?

# data[].attributes.subject
How is Chemistry Related to the Other Branches of Science?

# data[].attributes.body
Chemistry is sometimes referred to as a central science because it connects the other sciences to each other. The study of chemistry is linked to many other fields of study. For example, when we extract metals from stones containing ores, we are applying chemistry in geology; when we study about the composition of foods we eat, we are using chemistry in biology; and when we study about acid rain and global warming, we are using chemistry to study our environment.

Activity
The products in this Fig 1.1a above are made from different materials

Task
Identify the materials from which the products in the Fig 1.1a have been made
.................................................................
_____________________
Note:
The study of chemistry links up with many other fields of science. For example living things that we study in biology are made of chemical substances such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Geological studies deal with different types of earths, clays and soils which are chemical compounds.

Assignment:
Identify ways in which the study of chemistry is lated to:

1. Agriculture

2. Environment

3. Physics

4. Biology

5. Geology

6. Medicine

# data[].attributes.headline
Careers related to the study of chemistry

# data[].attributes.subject
Careers related to the study of chemistry

# data[].attributes.body
Have you thought about what you want to do in future? Probably you want to be a doctor, a nurse, an engineer, or any other related field. Chemistry as a study of matter is a link to many science-based careers.

CAREERS RELATED TO THE STUDY OF CHEMISTRY

It may also be noted that the study of chemistry is related to various careers and professions. It is important to understand chemistry if you are studying any of the science subjects because all of the sciences involve matter and the interactions between different types of matter. Students who desire to become doctors, nurses, physicists, nutritionists, geologists, pharmacists, and (of course) chemists all study chemistry.

Chemistry sometimes is called the "central science" because it connects other sciences to each other, such as biology, biochemistry, physics, botany, geology, and environmental sciences  materials sciences and pharmaceuticals.

You might want to make a career of chemistry because chemistry-related jobs are many and high-paying.

Fig 2.1a: above shows the careers in chemistry

# data[].attributes.headline
Contribution of chemistry to the Ugandan economy

# data[].attributes.subject
Contribution of chemistry to the Ugandan economy

# data[].attributes.body
Uganda is a land-locked country with a good climate, and is known for a variety of cash and food crops such as coffee, tea, cotton, matoke, millet, potatoes and sorghum. We also have natural resources such as fertile soils, mineral deposits, oil and natural gas. The natural resources must be exploited with care while there must be value added to crop products if our country is to develop. Knowledge of chemistry helps in a number of ways towards improvement of the national economy. For example, the manufacture of fertilisers from ammonia gas helps farmers to improve their crop yields. By selling their crops, the country is able to collect taxes. This contributes to improvement of the national economy.

Question

How can chemistry;
a) be useful in improving agriculture?

Fertilizer help improve crop yields.

Herbicides help remove weeds.

Acaricides kill ticks in livestock.

Vaccination helps against animal deseases.

b) help to produce better automobile fuel?

Distillation process gives cleaner fractions.

Catalysts reduce the harmful fumes produced.

c) knowledge be useful in improving the economy of Uganda?

Industrial products sold to boost natural income.

Products are taxed to improve revenue.

Improved yields due to industrial chemicals boost production.