Unit 7 branches of chemistry

I. Study the topical vocabulary to avoid any difficulties in understanding the text in exercise III. Consult a dictionary to pronounce the words correctly.

artificial _adj – искусственный

branch _n – _зд. раздел

be connected with – быть связанным с

consider _v – _зд. рассматривать

constituent _n – составная часть, компонент

deal with _{phr v} – иметь дело с, касаться

deposition _n – осаждение

fundamentals _{n pl} – основы

law _n – закон

measurement _n – измерение

point out _{phr v} – указывать

possess _v – обладать

practice _v – _зд. применять, осуществлять; заниматься, практиковать

qualitative _adj – качественный

quantitative _adj – количественный

unite _v – объединять

utility _n – полезность

vital _adj – жизненно важный, существенный

II. Look through the text “Branches of Chemistry” (exercise III) and find the international words in it. Say what Russian words help to define their meaning. Consult a dictionary if necessary. Define the part of speech they belong to.

III. Read and translate the text. Consult the Vocabulary notes. Branches of chemistry

Chemistry is defined as the study of matter and its transformations. Chemists study substances in order to learn more about their properties and reactions which change them into other substances. They investigate many phenomena, discover many important laws, create many artificial substances with valuable properties. This knowledge is growing fast and becoming more extensive and detailed. So, the necessity to unite similar scientific facts and divide chemistry into some separate fields appeared.

There are more than thirty branches of chemistry. Some of them are: organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, nuclear chemistry, colloidal chemistry, electrochemistry etc.

Biochemistry, for example, was born due to the close link of chemistry and biology.

Inorganic chemistry studies substances which cannot be produced from living organisms. Inorganic chemistry explains and develops Mendeleyev’s Periodic Law stating: «The properties of the elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers (positive charges of their nuclei)». Inorganic chemistry is concerned with the combinations of atoms and the causes of their combinations, the formation of molecules and ionic crystals from atoms. Besides, it considers the relationship of the properties of substances and their atomic and molecular structure.

Organic chemistry deals with the substances which are composed in part of carbon. Many of the organic substances are related to living bodies, plants and animals. The separation of organic chemistry as a branch takes place in science because there are more compounds of carbon than compounds of all the other elements put together¹. So, organic chemistry is a huge branch of chemistry.

Analytical chemistry is concerned with the identification, separation and quantitative measurement of the composition of different substances. Practicing analytical chemistry means dealing with different analytical methodologies applied to solve scientific problems. Chemical analysis – qualitative and quantitative – helped chemists to discover many elements existing on Earth, to assess definitely its reserves of natural resources. Chemical analysis enabled them to identify the constituents of chemical compounds, both simple and complex. It is chemical analysis that helped chemistry to become a science. So, it is usual to believe² that to be a good chemist it is necessary to be a good analytical chemist first.

Physical chemistry deals with those data in chemistry which are closely linked with physics. Physical chemistry comprises many principles of chemistry and physics. The knowledge of physical chemistry is particularly important to all branches of chemistry. Its fundamental laws are the basis for developing all these branches.

Electrochemistry is believed to be a branch of physical chemistry. It studies the relation between electrical energy and chemical change. Electrochemistry develops the fundamentals of electrolysis, electrosynthesis, protection of metals from corrosion, creation of chemical electric current sources etc. Electrolysis is the process whereby electrical energy causes a chemical change in the conducting medium (which is usually a solution or a molten substance). This process is generally used as a method of deposition of metals from a solution.

Photochemistry considers reactions caused by the effect of light. The most important natural photochemical process is photosynthesis. One of the first laws in photochemistry formulated in 1818 is that only light which is absorbed is photochemically effective. Later some new laws in photochemistry were developed by A. Einstein.

Nuclear chemistry covers the study of atomic nuclei transformations and the structure of atomic electron shells. Nuclear chemistry is directly connected with nuclear physics, radiochemistry and physical chemistry. Some dictionaries point out that the term nuclear chemistry is often used in the same sense as radiochemistry.

The division of chemistry into some branches or, in other words, the integration of chemistry with other fields of science causes the technological progress. It helps to produce substances that are not found in nature but possess important properties of great utility and vital for the wellbeing of mankind. These advances make better the standards of living.