Applications of Chemistry: Introduction, Uses, and Scope

Applications of Chemistry: Have you ever thought about what we gain by studying all of these elements, compounds & Applications of Chemistry? Chemistry is the science that studies the composition, structure, and characteristics of matter. It is concerned with the research of the changes that various kinds of matter undergo under various situations. Chemistry is more than simply combining two compounds in a test tube and watching for a change in colour or texture. Instead, Chemistry may be seen all around us if one looks closely. 

Everything has chemistry tied to it, from the exchange of gases in the human body to the destruction of life through atomic bombs. The importance and scope of chemistry are huge. In this article, we will look at some basic concepts of Chemistry and its practical applications.

Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

What is Chemistry?

The study of molecules, or the building blocks of matter, is referred to as Chemistry. It is fundamental to our life, and it guides our research into the human body, the Earth, food, materials, energy, and everything in between. Much of our economic success is based on the chemical industry, which is supported by chemistry research. As a result, chemistry not only studies the qualities of matter but also how and why it changes.

Importance and Scope of Chemistry

Chemicals used in industry have a direct impact on our daily life, including what we eat, wear, travel, technology, how we treat illnesses, how we receive electricity, and many more.

Many future concerns, such as sustainable energy and food production, environmental management, supplying safe drinking water, and improving human and environmental health, will be solved with chemistry.

There are several times in our daily life where chemistry, its applications, and its principles are involved. Let’s take a look at each one separately.

Applications of Chemistry

The applications of chemistry in various industries are explained below:

Food Industry

Chemicals can play a significant role in the manufacturing and preservation of food. Food additives, for example, can extend the shelf life of foods; others- such as colours, can enhance the appeal of foods. Flavourings are used to improve the taste of food. As a source of nourishment, food supplements are employed.

Examples of Chemicals in Food

1. Esters, which are flavouring agents, are chemical molecules created when alcohol and carboxylic acid combine chemically.
2. Alcohol is a hydrocarbon derivative that is organic in nature.
3. Ethyl Butanoate gives pineapple its flavour.
4. Vinegar is largely made up of acetic acid.
5. By combining different alcohols with different acids, new or diverse flavours can be created.

Agriculture

Chemical analysis- analyses the ratios of soil components and the degree of availability of these components for planting or cropping, aids agriculture by assisting in the selection of suitable soil for planting a specific crop.

Chemistry has provided the world with essential fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides to aid in the production of healthy and nutritious crops, fruits, and vegetables. Urea, calcium superphosphates, ammonium sulphate, and sodium nitrate are all significant fertilisers.

Farms must be highly systematic in determining which strategies to use to make the most optimal use of their resources. To feed the globe, modern farming techniques rely on a wide range of chemical agents.

Soaps and Cleaners

Soaps are created from natural animal fats and vegetable oils that have undergone a saponification process. Soaps are one sort of cleaner, but there are many more that employ different substances and procedures to remove filth from various uses.

Body gels, fabric softeners, laundry detergents, bathroom tile solutions, and all-purpose cleaning solutions would not exist without the chemistry involved in making specialized soaps and cleansers. Synthetic sulphates have made it possible for us to use a new generation of gentler cleaning products for our bodies and homes. Green chemistry has enabled us to generate numerous discoveries in developing healthier, ecologically friendly solutions.

Colourants

Minerals or petroleum are used to make the most common colours and pigments used in industry.

Colourants enable us to make items such as clothing more vibrant. Laser dyes, inkjet printing, photodynamic therapy, and surgery are a few of the various uses for dyes and pigments. Each of these applications uses dyes or pigments created specifically for the purpose.

Medicines

Medicines are chemical compounds with healing properties that can be extracted from natural sources or prepared in laboratories. Chemistry is important in both medicine and pharmacy because it helps to understand the nature of hormone and enzyme functions as well as the role of medicine in the human body.

Let’s have a look at some of the most important medications in chemistry-

1. Analgesics are pain relievers that are used to treat a variety of ailments.
2. Tranquilisers are medications that are used to treat mental illnesses. Take, for instance, tension.
3. Antiseptics are used to destroy or prevent the growth of microorganisms on the skin, wounds, and cuts.
4. Disinfectants are chemicals that kill microorganisms but are not suitable for human consumption.
5. Antibiotics are chemical molecules produced by some microorganisms that can be employed to kill infection-causing microorganisms.
6. Antacids are substances used to eliminate excess acid from the stomach and increase the pH to a healthy level.

Textiles

Textiles may undergo a variety of chemical and non-chemical treatments during the manufacturing process, including preparation and pre-treatment, dyeing, printing, and fabric refining.

Textiles and clothing contain a wide range of chemicals. Some are used to provide a product with a specific effect, such as biocides to prevent mould from forming on shoes, dyes to give clothing their distinct colours, and water repellents to make outdoor wear more practical. Special chemicals are sometimes used to keep the clothes from becoming wrinkled or mildewy during long periods of transit. To fight foul odour, some clothing and shoes include bacteria-killing chemicals. Oils and greases, starch, sulphonated oils, waxes, and certain surfactants can all be found in textiles.

Cosmetics

For the production of cosmetics, a variety of chemical combinations are used. The texture and feel of these beauty products are determined by the chemicals incorporated. Cosmetics are made up of a variety of industrial chemicals. Synthetic chemicals and naturally occurring processed chemicals are both examples of industrial chemicals.

Fuels

Any chemical with stored energy is referred to as a fuel. Photosynthesis and respiration are two processes that store this energy in chemical bonds in the molecules. During oxidation, energy is released. The most prevalent type of oxidation is the combustion, which is the direct reaction of a fuel with oxygen.

Wood, gasoline, coal, and a variety of other fuels have energy-rich chemical bonds that are formed using the Sun’s energy and released when the fuel is burned (i.e., the release of chemical energy). Chemical fuels, often known as fossil fuels, are a valuable source of energy and are thus widely employed to meet the needs of an energy-dependent civilization.

Wars

TNT, RDX, HMX, gunpowders used in bullets, and other explosives used in wars are all chemical compounds. It was the chemistry that allowed these chemicals to be used during the war. Nuclear weapons, which have become more well-known in recent years, are also chemical compounds.

Future Scope of Chemistry

We can utilize nanochemistry to discover and manufacture some chemicals with amazing qualities that can be used to improve a variety of fields such as engineering, communications, medicine, the environment, transportation, and to meet a variety of human needs.

Biochemistry Application

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical reactions that occur in living organisms. Biochemistry is the study of all live organisms and living processes. Here is the list of a few applications in Biochemistry:

1. Biochemistry Application in Agriculture

• Disease Control
• Increases Growth
• Biochemical Tests
• Helps in Animal Husbandry
• Soil Condition

2. Biochemistry Application in Medical Test

• Blood Test
• Kidney Function Test
• Pregnancy Test
• Liver Function Tests
• Serum Cholesterol Test
• Breast Cancer Screening
• ESR Test
• Ames Test

Summary

Chemistry has shaped civilization, from the development of stronger materials for large-scale construction to the kind of medicines, food products, pesticides, materials and cosmetics that are used on a daily basis. Advances in the field have benefited civilization enormously. In this article, we studied a few of the basic applications of chemistry in our daily life as well as in various other fields.

Study Everything about Green Chemistry here

FAQs on Applications of Chemistry

Here we have listed some of the commonly asked questions related to the importance and scope of chemistry in everyday life:

Q.1: Does makeup contain chemicals?
Ans: Yes, for the production of cosmetics, a variety of chemical combinations are used. The texture and feel of these beauty products are determined by the chemicals incorporated. Cosmetics are made up of a variety of industrial chemicals.

Q.2: Why do we use chemicals in food?
Ans: Chemicals can play a significant role in the manufacturing and preservation of food. Food additives, for example, can extend the shelf life of foods; others- such as colours, can enhance the appeal of foods. Flavourings are used to improve the taste of food. As a source of nourishment, food supplements are employed.

Q.3: What are the applications of chemistry in medicines?
Ans: Medicines are chemical compounds with healing properties that can be extracted from natural sources or prepared in laboratories. Chemistry is important in both medicine and pharmacy because it helps to understand the nature of hormone and enzyme functions as well as the role of medicine in the human body.

Q.4: What are examples of chemistry in everyday life?
Ans: Some examples of chemistry in everyday life are as follows-
1. Discoloration of leaves.
2. Food Digestion.
3. Common salt.
4. Ice floating on water.
5. Tears while chopping onions.
6. Sunscreen.
7. Medicines.
8. Hygiene.

Q.5: How can we use chemistry for future purposes?
Ans: We can utilise Nano-chemistry to discover and manufacture some chemicals with amazing qualities that can be used to improve a variety of fields such as engineering, communications, medical, the environment, transportation, and to meet a variety of human needs.