Practical Applications of Chemistry

Mr Chong

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Introduction

Chemistry is the study of how matter behaves. Without the study of chemistry, the whole society cannot function. Chemistry permeates every aspect of our lives.

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Importance of Chemistry

Chemistry is a central science. It integrates with physics, biology, mathematics and even the social sciences such as geology, economics

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Uses of chemistry

There are many uses of chemistry. Examples are petrol, drugs, cosmetics, paints, household detergents, plastics, chips in computers, instruments used in hospitals (X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI])

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Microelectronic Revolution

The chip is a small slice of silicon that contains a pattern of electronic switches joined by wires etched from thin films of metal. Silicon, an element, is in Group IV of the Periodic Table. Without silicon, the computer revolution may not have taken off.
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Microchip

In everyday life we see many examples of the influence of the chip: Digital watches Microwave oven controls Cars Hand calculators, smartphones, tablets Computers and accessories MP3 players
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Biotechnology Revolution

At a microscopic level, cells are about biomolecules interacting with one another. Chemistry is a core discipline to support the biotechnology era. In pharmaceutical science, there has been the development of numerous new drugs in the last 40 years.
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Genetic Engineering

To perform genetic engineering, a biologist needs foundational knowledge of biochemistry, organic chemistry. Not too far in the future, hereditary disorders caused by a defective gene will be treatable, if not curable, using gene therapy.

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Exercise

Our human body contains a high percentage of water Even in the potable water that we consume, there is a lot of environmental chemistry involved. The mineral water that we drink contain inorganic cations and anions.
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Contents of a particular brand of mineral water

Mineral contents Calcium ions Bicarbonate ions Sodium ions Chloride ions Magnesium ions Potassium ions Sulphate ions pH
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mg dm-3 not detected 1.4 12 12 not detected 0.20 not detected 5.6
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Exercise
1. Write down the chemical formulae of all the ions. 2. Calculate the concentration of potassium ions in mol dm-3 given that the relative atomic mass of potassium is 39.1 3. Is the mineral water acidic, neutral or basic? 4. What chemical reagent would you add to precipitate out the chloride ions?
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Medicinal Chemistry
The foundation of medicine and drugs is organic chemistry.
Organic Chemistry is the study of carbon compounds. There are millions of organic compounds, many of which occur in the natural world. Others are synthetically made by humans.
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Drugs and the Brain

Everything we do is controlled by nerve signals racing between our brain and various parts of our nervous system. The brain controls both our voluntary actions and involuntary actions of our body. Drugs that affect the brain generally works by inhibiting or promoting the production of neurotransmitters or by blocking the receptor sites occupied by neurotransmitters.
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Aspirin

Aspirin is an analgesic, which blocks transmission of pain. Aspirin relieves fever. Every year, more than 40 billion grams are manufactured by Americans. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are substitutes of aspirin.
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Chemical Structure of Paracetamol:

CH3CONH

OH

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Conclusion
Chemistry is a central science.
The modern society cannot live without chemistry.

We are living in an exciting era where new materials are being created. We have to be careful to protect the environment at the same time. Green chemistry is an emerging new discipline in chemistry.
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