field chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry (from the Greek term khmeia or khemeia) is the science that studies the interactions of matter.
 
These interactions may be established between two substances or between matter and energy, according to the First Law of Thermodynamics.
 
According to modern chemistry, the physical properties of materials are generally determined by their structure at the atomic scale; therefore chemistry also deals with understanding the properties and interactions of individual atoms.
 
Traditional chemistry studies chemical reactions taking place between substances, where one (or more) substance(s) is transformed into one or more different substances. Sometimes these reactions are driven by a catalyst, which may be another chemical substance present at the start of a reaction (such as sulphuric acid catalyzing the electrolysis of water) or a non-material phenomenon (such as electromagnetic radiation in photochemical reactions). Chemistry may be subdivided into many different sectors.
 
Analytical chemistry is the analysis of material samples to study their chemical composition and structure. Inorganic chemistry is the study of the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds.
 
Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms, and reactions of organic compounds. An organic compound is defined as any compound formally derived from methane. The distinction between organic and inorganic disciplines is not absolute and there is much overlap.
 
Biochemistryis the study of the chemicals, chemical reactions and chemical interactions that take place in living organisms. Biochemistry and organic chemistry are closely related, for example in medicinal chemistry or neurochemistry. Biochemistry is also associated with molecular biology and genetics.