Essay on The History of Chemistry and Its Influence on Society

4. Chemistry can be useful in explaining the natural world, preparing people for career opportunities and producing informed citizens.

Essay twelve discusses a dark time for chemists. Suddenly, in the mid 1500’s chemists went from being priests and healers to witches and devils. Chemistry during this period is limited and men known as alchemists ran the show. These men used herbs metals and spices to create useful substances and herbal remedies. Helpful as they

Over the course of the last 5000 years, mankind’s knowledge has been constantly advancing. Chemistry, a branch of science, has experienced a tremendous leap and expansions since ancient Greek civilization. One of the major breakthroughs in the advancement in Chemistry was the creation of the Atomic theory, which laid a foundation for the modern-day Chemistry and future of science. The Atomic theory introduced the idea of atoms, which are defined as the discrete units of matter. There are five key scientists that significantly contributed to the Atomic model over a span of thousands of years. They are: Democritus, John Dalton, J.J. Thompson, Ernest Rutherford, and Niels Bohr.

The studies of chemistry and physics have shaped understanding of the world today. In fact, they have altered the mindset and reasoning of society, leading to an age in which discoveries are consistently being sought after and achieved. However, it must be noted that the origin for the basis of understanding used today in fields such as chemistry derived almost entirely from the scientists of the 1800’s. In this thorough and precise essay, the incubator for some of the world’s most innovative researchers and pioneers in chemistry and physics will be discussed – the Cavendish Laboratory.

Medieval alchemists “invented new ways to isolate, purify, and concentrate substances” (Challenging Limits). The alchemists established the value of analysis, which was fundamental to what became chemistry. First, it was Antonie de Lavoisier who used the techniques to move into the modern age of chemistry. He started by isolating elements and identifying the basic building blocks of nature. Even Humphry Davy was interested in learning the basic building blocks of nature. Until, in 1898, a new element was discovered that drew many questions to scientists. Radium had glowed in the dark and when photographed seemed to be giving off its own energy. At the time, no one knew that the radium was a deadly poison, which harmed human tissue. However, the effect on photographic plates that radium gave allowed humans to discover x-ray scans. These x-ray scans allow us to diagnose and treat diseases. With all of these elements taken into consideration, scientist began to ask themselves, “what are the elements made

However, it was more than the conversion of one metal into another. Alchemy was the science of man's quest to obtain the ultimate spiritual enlightenment. Alchemists believed that if they could make the philosopher's stone, it would bring them to a higher state of being. Alchemists were the forefathers of modern chemistry. They believed that many things impacted upon their formulas. For example, they used astronomy and astrology. They also developed symbolic notation to represent the various elements, metals, and planets and their interactions.

The book talks about seventeen molecules that changed history. These molecules range from being used in food that people consume, in the form of salt to clothes that people wear in the form of dyes. Various fields where these chemical molecules play an important role have been covered and they include the biological as well as biochemical industries. The focus of this book review would be on the use of these chemical molecules in the line of medicine. Medicine is interconnected with our lives to such an extent that we cannot do without them nor their effects, hence this is the focus of this book review.

Chemistry is used in everyday life even if we aren’t aware of it. Chemist are so important because they have discovered so many things that are so important to know. Everything humans do is chemistry like breathing, eating, or just being still. Without chemist we would have no understanding about a lot of things in the world. Louis Pasteur, a French chemist and microbiologist, was known for his discoveries of vaccinations, pasteurization, and microbial fermentation. He is recalled for the incredible breakthroughs in the causes and preventions of diseases. These discoveries have saved numerous lives and will continue to save lives. Pasteur had a remarkable life, made many accomplishments, and also had some controversies; therefore, he is one of the most remembered chemist.

Chemistry is the study of the composition, behaviour and properties of matter, and of the elements of the Earth and its atmosphere.

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, believed there were only 4 elements; fire, water, air, and Earth. This idea was widely accepted for 2,000 years. Antoine Lavoisier is considered “father of modern chemistry” although he made a living as a tax collector. His view of having only 4 elements being the basis of the material world helped influence “alchemists”.

Chemistry plays a great role in our daily life. Everything in our lives from material to life involves chemistry. Life without chemical elements cannot be imagined. They are the makeup of many things around us and play apart in many primary functions. For instance, to do metabolism, almost 99% of our body weight contains the element, 65% oxygen, 18% carbon, 10% Hydrogen 3% nitrogen and so on. Elements make up DNA and RNA which are the building blocks for genetic materials. Although, they are used for breathing and are essentials components for nutrition. Besides this, elements are used to make nuclear weapons and technologies such as computers, TVs, and mobile phones.

During the Middle Ages, alchemists, which were the medieval version of chemists, believed that all things consisted of six elements: air, earth, fire, water, sulphur (which gave things the ability to catch on fire), and mercury (which gave things a metallic character). These ideas came from the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BCE-322 BCE) and the Persian alchemist Jābir ibn Hayyān (721 CE-815).

Maurice P. Crosland (2004). Historical Studies in the Language of Chemistry. Courier Dover Publications. p. 72. ISBN 0-486-43802-3.

Although organic reactions have been conducted by man since the discovery of fire, the science of Organic chemistry did not develop until the turn of the eighteenth century, mainly in France at first, then in Germany, later on in England. By far the largest variety of materials that bombard us are made up of organic elements. The beginning of the Ninetieth century was also the dawn of chemistry, all organic substances were understood

Alchemy is considered the precursor to modern chemistry. When you think of chemistry, usually you think of an exact science; something very meticulous. Truthfully, it is. To be accurate and to obtain precise and desired results, it must be accurate. Alchemy, however, was not an exact science, it was a primitive approach to the elements and usually they looked to a deity to actually initiate chemical reactions. Thus we separated them, but for good reason. In today's time we us instruments to give us exactness and precision that mankind had formerly ignored. Throughout time you will see that mankind has used chemistry to solve its most complex of problems and build a world that 7 billion people have come to know as home.