Branches of Chemistry and Its importance.

In our previous lesson, while introducing Chemistry, we defined it in a simple, precise, clear and easy to remember way. Here you go again, Chemistry is the study of everything. More scientifically, it is the study of matter(anything tangible), its composition, the changes it undergoes and how it interact with other substances. 

-Branches of Chemistry. 

Consider Chemistry as a tree in your home or your surrounding right in front of you. Does it have branches?  Yes, it does!  How many are they? Big branches and smaller ones, right? 

Chemist-tree (Source: Colourbox).

So, now. Chemis-tree (🌳) as a scientific discipline, has three(3) and/or five(5) major/big branches as considered by some scholars, such as North Central College, US. 

As a beginner, let's go with the three major branches, these are;

• Organic Chemistry: This involves the study of matter or anything that originated from living things (plants & animals). For example; Sugarcane. Why is it sweet? What makes it so? How do we extract it? By trying to find answer to these questions, you are studying something that originated from living thing and that's Organic Chemistry. 
• Inorganic Chemistry: This deals with the study of matter or anything that is non-living. For example, Sand, Rocks, and Rusting. Why does iron rust? In fact, what is rusting?  How is it happening or produced? That's inorganic. 
• Physical Chemistry: When you burn a wood, it changes from solid wood to ash, and while burning energy or heat is lost. So, physical chemistry deals with the study of energy changes that occur when a (reaction take place) matter undergo some changes.

- Importance of Chemistry.

There is often this question that chemists ask, what on earth is not Chemistry? Of course, nothing. Chemistry happens everywhere and around you. For example, plants produce their own food through a chemical process called photosynthesis, using water, carbondioxide and sunlight. This in turn produces food for animals and human beings. Thousand of chemical reactions take place during digestion of food and also cutting onions burst its cells and produce an acid that react with enzyme to produce propanethial S-oxide, that wafts into your eyes as you cut the onions. The gas enter your eyes and react with your tears to form sulphuric acid which in turn burns thereby stimulating your eyes to release more tears to wash away the irritant. All these are simple examples to let you know that you're also a Chemist and Chemistry is all around you. 

Chemistry has contributed immensely in our everyday life. Some of these contributions include:

1. AGRICULURE: through Chemistry, fertilizers and insecticides have been produced to help us increase food production, preservation and storage. 
2. INDUSTRY: Chemistry is used to produce synthetic fibres (textiles ) used for many kind of clothing materials. 
3. PHARMACEUTICALS: Chemistry has also helped us produce many drugs, to help us enjoy good health and lifestyle. 
4. TRANSPORTATION: Chemistry has made it possible to transport ourselves, goods and services easily through production of suitable fuels for different types of engines. E.t.c

The importance of Chemistry is immeasurable, simply because, everything is Chemistry! 

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