Chemistry in daily life

Introduction

We use many chemicals for having healthy and comfortable life. The day may start with brushing the teeth and may end the day for a good sleep by switching the mosquito repellent. Every product we use in daily life can be the source of study for chemistry. Study of these chemical may be interesting as well as thought provoking process related closely to chemistry.  Chemistry in our surroundings helped in changing our lives. As chemistry is based on logical understanding, it is used in various disciplines that make the world more colorful, efficient, reliable and safer.

Importance of Chemistry

        Chemistry helps us to understand the world in a better way. For example, the process of digestion of food to release energy is a chemical reaction that can be represented by an equation. Food or edible substances are the non toxic chemicals. They are further analysed by performing physical tests like touch [crystalline/ amorphous], taste [sour/ sweet] or their characteristic smell. It also explains the role played by the contaminated food in spreading of diseases. The following table explains few chemicals that are used in the manufacture of certain products that are used in daily life:

Chemical	Used in the manufacture of products like
Pigments	Nail polish, paints, etc.
Plastics	Containers, cable wires, fabrics, etc.
Silicon	Computer Micro chips , electronic products, etc.

Service of Chemistry:

Chemistry serves us in many ways. Few among them are listed below:

1) Bio diesel: Biodiesel is manufactured from the fuels that are naturally obtained. Use of biodiesel helps in reducing the pollution released from synthetic fuels that are toxic and expensive.

2) Cleaning agents: Use of certain non toxic cleaning agents reduces the time of washing and the quantity of water used.

3) Medicines, drugs, multi-vitamin tablets, vaccines, etc., are used in the treatment of patients.

4) Olfactory indicators, Flavonoids, artificial food colours, etc. are used in the manufacture of bakery products.

Branches of Chemistry:

Based on the source of availability and study of chemicals, chemistry can be classified into five major branches:

1. Organic chemistry: Sources of these chemicals are observed in living organisms. The study of organic chemicals is organic chemistry. Alcohol, glucose, fructose, vinegar, etc. are few examples of organic chemicals.

2. Physical chemistry: Studying the physical processes by taking suitable chemicals for their explaining and analyzing is physical chemistry. Certain concepts of thermodynamics, gaseous state, solutions, solid state, colloids, emulsions, etc. can be studied under this branch.

3. Inorganic chemistry: Study of chemicals used in industries like metals, metalloids that have great importance as catalysts are studied under the branch of Inorganic chemistry.

4. Analytical chemistry: Studying the chemicals by performing the identification and confirmation tests based on their appearance [physical] properties and reactivity [chemical] properties is Analytical chemistry. All the experimental activities performed in a lab are considered as the chapters of analytical chemistry.

Interesting Chemicals Knowing certain process drags the attention of readers to chemistry. Here is an example for such a process:

Q. Why do we get tears when an onion is cut?

Ans. Onion contains Amino acid sulfoxides and Enzymes. When onion was cut, the chemicals were free to produce a volatile gaseous sulphur rich compound. The gas reacts with tears to form sulphuric acid. The acid burns, and stimulates the eyes to release more amount of water in the form of tears. The tears help to get rid of the irritant. On cooking, the enzyme in the onion gets inactive and the effect was not observed. Smell of cooked onions may be strong, but doesn't give a burning sensation.

Conclusion                 

Over the last two centuries, chemistry has changed our lives. Chemistry as a logical science helps us in various disciplines. Chemistry makes the world more colorful, efficient, reliable and safer.

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