Chemist: Difference between revisions
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{{this|a scientific profession}} |
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a chemist is a persone who makes medications. |
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[[Image:Julie Perkins at LLNL.jpg|right|frame|A chemist pours from a [[round-bottom flask]].]] |
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A '''chemist''' is a [[scientist]] trained in the [[science]] of [[chemistry]]. Chemists study the composition of matter and its small-scale properties such as [[density]] and [[acidity]] instead of large-scale properties like size and shape. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of [[molecules]] and their component [[atom]]s. Chemists carefully measure substance proportions, [[Chemical reaction|reaction]] rates, and other [[chemical properties]]. |
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Chemists use this knowledge to learn the composition, structure, chemical reactivity, and properties of unfamiliar substances, as well as to reproduce and synthesize large quantities of useful naturally occurring substances and create new artificial substances and useful processes. Chemists may specialize in any number of [[Chemistry#Subdisciplines of chemistry|subdisciplines of chemistry]]. [[Materials science|Materials scientists]] and metallurgists share much of the same education and skills with chemists. |
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==Education== |
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Jobs for chemists usually require at least a [[bachelor's degree]], but many positions, especially those in research, require a [[Ph.D.]]. Most undergraduate programs emphasize [[mathematics]] and [[physics]] as well as chemistry, partly because chemistry is also known as the "Central Science", thus chemists ought to have an all-rounded knowledge about science. At the [[Master's degree|Master's]] level and higher, students tend to specialize in a particular field. Fields of specialization include [[biochemistry]], [[organic chemistry]], [[inorganic chemistry]], [[analytical chemistry]], [[theoretical chemistry]], [[quantum chemistry]] and [[physical chemistry]]. Post-doctorate experience may be required for certain positions. |
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==Employment== |
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The three major employers of chemists are academic institutions, industry, especially the [[chemical industry]] and the [[pharmaceutical industry]], and government laboratories. |
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Chemistry typically is divided into several major sub-disciplines. There are also several main cross-disciplinary and more specialized fields of chemistry. There is a great deal of overlap between different branches of chemistry, as well as with other scientific fields such as biology, medicine, physics, and several engineering disciplines. |
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*[[Analytical chemistry]] is the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their [[chemical composition]] and [[structure]]. Analytical chemistry incorporates standardized experimental methods in chemistry. These methods may be used in all subdisciplines of chemistry, excluding purely theoretical chemistry. |
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*[[Biochemistry]] is the study of the [[chemical compound|chemicals]], [[chemical reaction]]s and chemical [[interaction]]s that take place in living [[organism]]s. Biochemistry and organic chemistry are closely related, for example, in [[medicinal chemistry]]. |
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[[Image:Laura Miller at ANL.jpg|right|frame|A chemist prepares a new [[fuel cell]] for testing.]] |
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*[[Inorganic chemistry]] is the study of the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds. The distinction between organic and inorganic disciplines is not absolute and there is much overlap, most importantly in the sub-discipline of [[organometallic chemistry]]. |
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*[[Medicinal chemistry]] is the science involved with designing, synthesizing and developing pharmaceutical drugs. Medicinal chemistry involves the identification, synthesis and development of [[new chemical entity|new chemical entities]] suitable for therapeutic use. It also includes the study of existing drugs, their biological properties, and their [[quantitative structure-activity relationship]]s. |
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*[[Organic chemistry]] is the study of the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms, and [[chemical reaction|reactions]] of [[organic compound]]s. |
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*[[Physical chemistry]] is the study of the physical fundamental basis of chemical systems and processes. In particular, the energetics and dynamics of such systems and processes are of interest to physical chemists. Important areas of study include [[chemical thermodynamics]], [[chemical kinetics]], [[electrochemistry]], [[quantum chemistry]], [[statistical mechanics]], and [[spectroscopy]]. Physical chemistry has large overlap with [[theoretical chemistry]] and [[molecular physics]]. Physical chemistry involves the use of [[calculus]] in deriving equations. |
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*[[Theoretical chemistry]] is the study of chemistry via theoretical reasoning (usually within [[mathematics]] or [[physics]]). In particular the application of [[quantum mechanics]] to chemistry is called [[quantum chemistry]]. Since the end of the second world war, the development of computers has allowed a systematic development of [[computational chemistry]], which is the art of developing and applying [[computer program]]s for solving chemical problems. Theoretical chemistry has large overlap with [[condensed matter physics]] and [[molecular physics]].See [[Reductionism]]. |
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All the above major areas of chemistry employ chemists. Other fields where chemical degrees are useful include [[Astrochemistry]], [[Atmospheric chemistry]], [[Chemical Engineering]], [[Chemo-informatics]], [[Electrochemistry]], [[Geochemistry]], [[Green chemistry]], [[History of chemistry]], [[Materials science]], [[Molecular Biology]], [[Molecular genetics]], [[Nuclear chemistry]], [[Organometallic chemistry]], [[Petrochemistry]], [[Pharmacology]], [[Photochemistry]], [[Phytochemistry]], [[Polymer chemistry]], [[Supramolecular chemistry]], [[Surface chemistry]] and [[nanotechnology]]. |
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{{BranchesofChemistry}} |
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==History== |
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{{main|History of chemistry}} |
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The word ''chemist'' is a [[Corruption (linguistics)|corruption]] of the [[New Latin]] [[noun]] ''chimista'', an [[abbreviation]] of ''alchimista'' ([[Alchemy|alchemist]]). |
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The roots of chemistry can be traced to the phenomenon of [[combustion|burning]]. [[Fire]] was a mystical force that transformed one substance into another and thus was of primary interest to mankind. It was fire that led to the discovery of [[iron]] and [[glass]]. After [[gold]] was discovered and became a precious metal, many people were interested to find a method that could convert other substances into gold. This led to the [[protoscience]] called [[Alchemy]]. Alchemists discovered many chemical [[processes]] that led to the development of modern chemistry. Chemistry as we know it today, was invented by [[Antoine Lavoisier]] with his law of [[Conservation of mass]] in 1783. The [[discoveries of the chemical elements]] has a long history culminating in the creation of the [[periodic table]] by [[Dmitri Mendeleyev]]. The [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] created in 1901 gives an excellent overview of chemical discovery in the past 100 years. |
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==See also== |
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{{wikibookspar|Wikiversity|School of Chemistry}} |
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*[[List of chemistry topics]] |
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*[[List of chemists]] |
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*[[List of important publications in chemistry]] |
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*[[List of scientific journals in chemistry]] |
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*[[:Category:Chemistry societies|List of Chemistry Societies]] |
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==References== |
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*[http://www.chemistry.org/ American Chemical Society] website |
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*[http://www.cas.org/ Chemical Abstracts Service] indexes and abstracts the world's chemistry-related literature and patents |
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*[http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos049.htm Chemists and Materials Scientists] from the U.S. Department of Labor's ''Occupational Outlook Handbook'' |
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*[http://www.rsc.org/ Royal Society of Chemistry] website |
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*[http://www.liv.ac.uk/Chemistry/Links/refhistory.html History of Chemistry] links for chemists |
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*[http://pubs.acs.org/journals/luminaries/ Luminaries of the Chemical Sciences] accomplishments, biography, and publications from 44 of the most influential chemists |
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*[http://web.lemoyne.edu/~giunta/papers.html Selected Classic Papers from the History of Chemistry] |
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*[http://www.chemistryguide.org Links for Chemists] guide to web sites related to chemistry |
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[[Category:Chemists| ]] |
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[[bg:Химик]] |
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[[ca:Químic]] |
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[[de:Chemiker]] |
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[[eo:Kemiisto]] |
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[[fr:chimiste]] |
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[[he:כימאי]] |
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[[ja:化学者]] |
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[[nl:Scheikundige]] |
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[[vi:Nhà hóa học]] |
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[[simple:Chemist]] |
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[[zh-yue:化學家]] |
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[[zh:化學家]] |
Revision as of 23:08, 8 March 2007
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Julie_Perkins_at_LLNL.jpg)
A chemist is a scientist trained in the science of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its small-scale properties such as density and acidity instead of large-scale properties like size and shape. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms. Chemists carefully measure substance proportions, reaction rates, and other chemical properties.
Chemists use this knowledge to learn the composition, structure, chemical reactivity, and properties of unfamiliar substances, as well as to reproduce and synthesize large quantities of useful naturally occurring substances and create new artificial substances and useful processes. Chemists may specialize in any number of subdisciplines of chemistry. Materials scientists and metallurgists share much of the same education and skills with chemists.
Education
Jobs for chemists usually require at least a bachelor's degree, but many positions, especially those in research, require a Ph.D.. Most undergraduate programs emphasize mathematics and physics as well as chemistry, partly because chemistry is also known as the "Central Science", thus chemists ought to have an all-rounded knowledge about science. At the Master's level and higher, students tend to specialize in a particular field. Fields of specialization include biochemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, quantum chemistry and physical chemistry. Post-doctorate experience may be required for certain positions.
Employment
The three major employers of chemists are academic institutions, industry, especially the chemical industry and the pharmaceutical industry, and government laboratories.
Chemistry typically is divided into several major sub-disciplines. There are also several main cross-disciplinary and more specialized fields of chemistry. There is a great deal of overlap between different branches of chemistry, as well as with other scientific fields such as biology, medicine, physics, and several engineering disciplines.
- Analytical chemistry is the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their chemical composition and structure. Analytical chemistry incorporates standardized experimental methods in chemistry. These methods may be used in all subdisciplines of chemistry, excluding purely theoretical chemistry.
- Biochemistry is the study of the chemicals, chemical reactions and chemical interactions that take place in living organisms. Biochemistry and organic chemistry are closely related, for example, in medicinal chemistry.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Laura_Miller_at_ANL.jpg)
- Inorganic chemistry is the study of the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds. The distinction between organic and inorganic disciplines is not absolute and there is much overlap, most importantly in the sub-discipline of organometallic chemistry.
- Medicinal chemistry is the science involved with designing, synthesizing and developing pharmaceutical drugs. Medicinal chemistry involves the identification, synthesis and development of new chemical entities suitable for therapeutic use. It also includes the study of existing drugs, their biological properties, and their quantitative structure-activity relationships.
- Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms, and reactions of organic compounds.
- Physical chemistry is the study of the physical fundamental basis of chemical systems and processes. In particular, the energetics and dynamics of such systems and processes are of interest to physical chemists. Important areas of study include chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, electrochemistry, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, and spectroscopy. Physical chemistry has large overlap with theoretical chemistry and molecular physics. Physical chemistry involves the use of calculus in deriving equations.
- Theoretical chemistry is the study of chemistry via theoretical reasoning (usually within mathematics or physics). In particular the application of quantum mechanics to chemistry is called quantum chemistry. Since the end of the second world war, the development of computers has allowed a systematic development of computational chemistry, which is the art of developing and applying computer programs for solving chemical problems. Theoretical chemistry has large overlap with condensed matter physics and molecular physics.See Reductionism.
All the above major areas of chemistry employ chemists. Other fields where chemical degrees are useful include Astrochemistry, Atmospheric chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemo-informatics, Electrochemistry, Geochemistry, Green chemistry, History of chemistry, Materials science, Molecular Biology, Molecular genetics, Nuclear chemistry, Organometallic chemistry, Petrochemistry, Pharmacology, Photochemistry, Phytochemistry, Polymer chemistry, Supramolecular chemistry, Surface chemistry and nanotechnology.
History
The word chemist is a corruption of the New Latin noun chimista, an abbreviation of alchimista (alchemist).
The roots of chemistry can be traced to the phenomenon of burning. Fire was a mystical force that transformed one substance into another and thus was of primary interest to mankind. It was fire that led to the discovery of iron and glass. After gold was discovered and became a precious metal, many people were interested to find a method that could convert other substances into gold. This led to the protoscience called Alchemy. Alchemists discovered many chemical processes that led to the development of modern chemistry. Chemistry as we know it today, was invented by Antoine Lavoisier with his law of Conservation of mass in 1783. The discoveries of the chemical elements has a long history culminating in the creation of the periodic table by Dmitri Mendeleyev. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry created in 1901 gives an excellent overview of chemical discovery in the past 100 years.
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Wikibooks-logo-en-noslogan.svg/40px-Wikibooks-logo-en-noslogan.svg.png)
- List of chemistry topics
- List of chemists
- List of important publications in chemistry
- List of scientific journals in chemistry
- List of Chemistry Societies
References
- American Chemical Society website
- Chemical Abstracts Service indexes and abstracts the world's chemistry-related literature and patents
- Chemists and Materials Scientists from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Royal Society of Chemistry website
- History of Chemistry links for chemists
- Luminaries of the Chemical Sciences accomplishments, biography, and publications from 44 of the most influential chemists
- Selected Classic Papers from the History of Chemistry
- Links for Chemists guide to web sites related to chemistry