CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

What is chemistry?
1. Any form of matter is considered as a chemical. Thus, chemical are not only found in
laboratories but all around us.
2. Chemistry enables us to produce many useful chemical such as metals, glass, ceramics,
plastics, soaps, detergents and medicinal drugs.
3. Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and interaction of
matter.
Chemicals used in daily life
1. Some of the common chemicals that are used in our everyday lives are shown in the table
below.
Chemical
Ammonia
Aluminium hydroxide
Calcium carbonate
Calcium sulphate
Ethanoic acid
Chlorine

Molecular formula

Uses
To make fertilizer and explosive
As an anti acid for gastric patient
To make cement
As a plaster to support broken bones
As a preservative and as a food additive
Water purification and make poisons and
bleaching agent
As a liquor and food additive
To preserve biological specimens
To coagulate latex
Toothpaste and to neutralize acid
To make fertilizer and explosive
To make photographic films
To make photochromic glass
Lead- acid accumulator
As a food preservative
In cooking for flavor and to preserve food

Ethanol
Formaldehyde
Formic acid
Magnesiun hydroxide
Nitric acid
Silver bromide
Silver chloride
Sulphuric acid
Sodium benzoate
Sodium chloride
Chemistry related careers

Some examples of professions that require the knowledge of chemistry

Field
Agriculture

Career
Aquaculturist

Scoop of job
>Study the ways of growing aquatic organism

Medicinal

Industry

Education

Horticulturist

>Study or practice the ways of growing fruits,

flowers and vegetables.

Doctor

>Treat people who are ill and injured

Pharmacist

>Prescribe medicines in a shop or hospital or create

new drugs to cure diseases

Veterinarian

>Treat animals which are ill or injured

Nutritionist

>Study the nutritional value of food

Food technologist

>Study the correct mixture of flavours,

antioxidants, colourings, stabilizers, thickners and
preservatives

Biotechnologist

>Study the use of living cells and bacteria in

industrial and scientific process

Lecturer

>Teach chemistry related topics in universities,

colleges and matriculation

Teacher

>Teach chemistry in school

Chemical-based industries and the contribution in Malaysia

Chemical-based industries

Product

Petroleum

Liquefied natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, bitumen

Rubber

Rubber glove, footwear, tyre, condom

Palm oil

Margarine, cooking oil, raw material for

manufacturing soap, detergent, cosmetic and lubricant

Petrochemical

Plastic, raincoat, pail, and other plastic ware

Inorganic chemical

Chlorine, caustic soda, bleaching agent

Paint

Paint, varnish, dye

Agricultural
fertiliser

chemical

Soap and detergent

and Fertiliser, pesticide

Soap, detergent

Chemical-based industries

Product

Cosmetic

Cosmetic

Pharmaceutical

Drugs used in medicine

Chemical-based industries contribution:

1. Producing new materials to improve our quality of life.
2. Providing job opportunities.
3. Supports other industries in Malaysia.
4. Earning foreign exchange at which it contributes to the economy of the country.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1. Scientific method is a systematic method used to solve problems in science.
2. The scientific methods involves the following steps:

Scientific attitudes and noble values

Scientific attitudes and noble values generally occur through the following situations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Interest and concern for the environment.

Realising that science is a means to understand nature
Honest and accurate in recording and validating data.
Diligent and persevering.
Responsible about the safety of oneself, others and the environment.
Critical and analytical thinking.

7. Appreciating the balance of nature.

8. Respectful and well-mannered.
9. Appreciating the contribution of science and technology.
10. Thankful to God.
11. Fair and just.
12. Flexible and open-minded.
13. Kind-hearted and caring.
14. Objective.
15. Systematic.
16. Cooperative.
17. Thinking rationally.
18. Daring to try.
19. Confident and independent.