Chemistry is a wide, deep subject, broken into five main areas or branches. One branch concerns living things and the human body; another branch studies products and materials made in a lab. Which branch of chemistry interests you most?
Fun Facts Branches of Chemistry
- Analytical chemistry uses tests to discover ingredients in a substance. A pool worker tests the water to learn how much chlorine it contains. A nutritionist analyzes food to learn about the nutrients in it.
- Biochemistry is the study of chemistry in the body. Biochemists may study cancer cells to learn how to cure the disease. A biochemist might study viruses and bacteria to learn about infectious diseases.
- Inorganic chemistry is the study of inorganic – or nonliving – substances, such as metals and rocks. A scientist might study rock formations to determine how they were made; or study the composition of a steel beam to determine its strength.
- Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds, such as cleaners, plastics, food additives, and medicine. An organic chemist often works in a lab, developing better products for humans, such as safer medicines and cleaners or a new sunscreen.
- Physical chemistry studies the physical properties of molecules – how they move or change. When you bake cookies, the cookies become solid and browned – a physical reaction.
Vocabulary
Analyze: observe, test, and study
Chlorine: a substance used to clean and purify water
Food additive: a substance added to food to improve its flavor or appearance, or increase its shelf-life (how long it stays fresh)
Composition: the make-up of something; what it’s made of
Q and A
Are there other branches of chemistry?
Answer: There are many branches of chemistry that fall under the five main branches. For example, the branch of biochemistry includes endocrinology (the study of hormones), clinical biochemistry (the study of disease), and many more.
What Are The Branches Of Chemistry
Here are some of the main branches of chemistry
- Analytical chemistry: Analytical chemistry is like a detective that helps us figure out what different substances are made of.
- Biochemistry: Biochemistry is like the chemistry of life! It helps us understand how living things work and how they use chemical reactions to stay alive.
- Inorganic chemistry: Inorganic chemistry is all about the chemistry of things that aren’t alive, like rocks and minerals.
- Organic chemistry: Organic chemistry is like the chemistry of things that are made from carbon, like plants and animals.
- Physical chemistry: Physical chemistry is like the physics of chemistry! It helps us understand how matter behaves and how chemical reactions work.
- Theoretical chemistry: Theoretical chemistry is like the computer of chemistry! It uses math and computer simulations to predict how chemicals will behave. All amazing stuff really!
Food nutrients belong to which branch of chemistry?
Food nutrients, which are substances that provide nourishment to the body, belong to the branch of chemistry called biochemistry.
- Biochemistry is like the chemistry of life! It helps us understand how our bodies work and what we need to stay healthy and strong.
- Food nutrients are like the building blocks of our bodies. They help us grow and have energy.
- Biochemistry helps us understand how the nutrients in our food are used by our bodies to keep us going.
- When we eat food, our bodies break it down into little pieces that our cells can use to fuel all of the amazing things they do.
- Biochemistry helps us figure out which nutrients we need to eat to stay healthy and which ones we should avoid.
How Many Branches Of Chemistry
There are several branches of chemistry, each focusing on a specific area of study. Some of the main branches of chemistry include:
- Analytical chemistry: This branch of chemistry involves using techniques and instruments to identify and measure the chemical makeup of substances.
- Biochemistry: This branch of chemistry studies the chemical processes that occur within living organisms, including the way that nutrients are broken down, used, and stored by the body.
- Inorganic chemistry: This branch of chemistry studies the chemistry of non-living things, such as minerals and metals.
- Organic chemistry: This branch of chemistry studies the chemistry of carbon-based molecules, including those found in plants and animals.
- Physical chemistry: This branch of chemistry uses principles of physics to understand and predict the behavior of chemical systems.
- Theoretical chemistry: This branch of chemistry uses computer simulations and mathematical models to predict the outcomes of chemical reactions and the properties of molecules.
Learn More
Visit Chem4Kids to learn more about biochemistry.
Head over to WonderWhizKids to learn more about organic chemistry.