10 Things You Need To Know About Chemistry

Author
by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Are you new to the science of chemistry? Chemistry may seem complex and intimidating, but once you understand a few basics, you'll be on your way to experimenting and understanding the chemical world. Here are ten important thingsyou need to know about chemistry.

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CHEMISTRY IS THE STUDY OF MATTER AND ENERGY

 Chemistry is the study of matter. American Images Inc/Photodisc/Getty Images

Chemistry, like physics, is a physical science that explores the structure of matter and energy and the way the two interact with each other. The basic building blocks of matter are atoms, which join together to form molecules. Atoms and molecules interact to form new products through chemical reactions.

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5 SAFETY RULES FOR BIOLOGY LABS

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CHEMISTS USE THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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Chemists and other scientists ask and answer questions about the world in a very specific way: the scientific method. This system helps scientists design experiments, analyze data, and arrive at objective conclusions.

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THERE ARE MANY BRANCHES OF CHEMISTRY

 Biochemists study DNA and other biological molecules. Cultura/KaPe Schmidt/Getty Images

Think of chemistry as a tree with many branches. Because the subject is so vast, once you get past an introductory chemistry class, you'll explore different branches of chemistry, each with its own focus.

• List of the Branches of Chemistry
• What Is Chemical Engineering?
• Introduction To Organic Chemistry
• What Is Analytical Chemistry?
• What Is Physical Chemistry?
• What Is Biochemistry?

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THE COOLEST EXPERIMENTS ARE CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENTS

The rainbow of colored fire was made using common household chemicals to color the flames. Anne Helmenstine

It's hard to disagree with this because any awesome biology or physics experiment could be expressed as a chemistry experiment! Atom smashing? Nuclear chemistry. Flesh-eating bacteria? Biochemistry. Many chemists say the lab component of chemistry is what got them interested in science, not just chemistry, but all aspects of science.

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• Turn Water Into Wine
• Make "Elephant" Toothpaste
• Make Invisible Ink To Write Secret Messages
• Rainbow in a Glass Density Experiment

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CHEMISTRY IS A HANDS-ON SCIENCE

 You can make slime using chemistry. Gary S Chapman/Getty Images

If you take a chemistry class, you can expect there to be a lab component to the course. This is because chemistry is as much about chemical reactions and experiments as it is about theories and models. In order to understand how chemists explore the world, you'll need to understand how to take measurements, use glassware, use chemicals safely, and record and analyze experimental data.

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CHEMISTRY TAKES PLACE IN A LAB AND OUTSIDE THE LAB

This female chemist is holding a flask of liquid. Compassionate Eye Foundation/Tom Grill, Getty Images

When you picture a chemist, you may envision a person wearing a lab coat and safety goggles, holding a flask of liquid in a laboratory setting. Yes, some chemists work in labs. Others work in the kitchen, in the field, in a plant, or in an office.

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CHEMISTRY IS THE STUDY OF EVERYTHING

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Everything you can touch, taste, or smell is made of matter. You could say matter makes up everything. Alternatively, you could say everything is made of chemicals. Chemists study matter, therefore chemistry is the study of everything, from the smallest particles to the largest structures.

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EVERYONE USES CHEMISTRY

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You need to know the basics of chemistry, even if you aren't a chemist. No matter who you are or what you do, you work with chemicals. You eat them, you wear them, the drugs you take are chemicals, and the products you use in daily life all consists of chemicals.

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CHEMISTRY OFFERS MANY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Chris Ryan/Caiaimage/Getty Images

Chemistry is a good course to take to fulfill a general science requirement because it exposes you to math, biology, and physics along with principles of chemistry. In college, a chemistry degree can act as a springboard to numerous exciting careers, not just as a chemist.

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CHEMISTRY IS IN THE REAL WORLD, NOT JUST THE LAB

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Chemistry is a practical science as well as a theoretical science. It is often used to design products real people use and to solve real-world problems. Chemistry researchmay be pure science, which helps us to understand how things work, contributes to our knowledge, and help us make predictions about what will happen. Chemistry may be applied science, where chemists use this knowledge to make new products, improve processes, and solve problems.

For further details log on website :
https://www.thoughtco.com/things-you-need-to-know-about-chemistry-604151

Antioxidants in Concord Vs. Red Grapes

Author
by ELIZABETH JARRARD 

A small, deep purple grape variety, known as the Concord, is the only grape native to North America. Grown originally in Concord, Massachusetts, this little berry has shown promising health benefits due to its high antioxidant content. But is it better than red table grapes?

Polyphenols in Concord Grapes

Polyphenols are the type of antioxidants that give Concord grapes their vibrant color. Dark-skinned blue and purple fruits, like the Concord grape, tend to have more natural antioxidant power than their lighter-skinned counterparts, as measured by Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC). This assay measures the degree of inhibition by various foods of
free-radical-induced oxidation — how potent their antioxidants are. While both Concord and red grapes have high levels of antioxidants, the deeper color of the Concord indicates that it has a greater capacity to destroy free radicals. While studies directly comparing Concord grapes to red table grapes have not been conducted, Lutz et al. (2011) did find that blue grapes exhibited higher antioxidant capacity than red grapes.

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Concord Grapes and Heart Health

Extensive research has been done on Concord grape juice and heart health. It appears that the antioxidants in these grapes help to reduce inflammation in people with heart disease in particular. A 2004 study by Albers et al. found that adults with coronary artery disease who drank Concord grape juice daily for two weeks decreased free radical production and markers of inflammation. The results seen in the lab are similar to those that accompany moderate red wine consumption — but without the added alcohol.

Where You Can Find Concord Grapes

The farmer's market is the best place to find Concord grapes. You are more likely to see them in the Pacific Northwest or Northeast regions of the United States. You can also buy Welch's grape juice which is made from 100 percent Concord grapes. Not all grapes juices are made exclusively from Concord grapes, so it is important to look at the label to identify the source. One serving of grapes is one cup, and one serving of grape juice is half a cup.

The Bottom Line

Concord grapes are an antioxidant-rich berry, and, based on their ORAC score, richer than regular table grapes. They may be harder to find in your grocery store, however. Because they still contain seeds and do not store well at room temperature for long periods of time, you may have to buy directly from a family farmer in Washington, New York, Massachusetts or Michigan. While more research is needed on regular grapes, the data we have on Concord grapes suggest they are packed with nutrients, especially antioxidants, which provide many health benefits, from immune-enhancement to improvement of cardiovascular function.

For further information log on website :
http://www.livestrong.com/article/281281-benefits-of-eating-concord-grapes/