Historical development

of Chemistry

What is chemistry?
It is a branch of science which deals with

the properties, structure and

transformations of matter.

What were the needs of humanbeing from the first day of life? What
type of tools or instruments did they make related with chemistry?

What type of chemical activities do you observe ?

Definition of Alchemy
Defined:

medieval chemical science and

speculative philosophy with goals of
transmutation of cheap metals into gold, a
universal cure for disease, and a way of
prolonging life.

Seeking
a) Philosophers Stone (a stone that is no

stone but contains within it the seeds to

transform cheap metals into gold)
b) Elixor of Life (cure disease)
c) Fountain of Youth (extend life)

Contributions
a) lab techniques
b) medicines
c) lab tools and supplies

Producing metallic tools

Black powder
(BC. 5000)

Ink (BC. 2500)

Producing Paint

Ceramic and pottery)

Glass (BC. 200 300)

Cosmetics and perfume

Processing and painting leather

Soap

Which lab techniques did they

contribute to chemistry?

Boiling, evaporation and distillation

Mixing and grinding

Filtration

Extraction

Burning

Mineral Acids
H2SO4 (aq)
HCl (aq)
HNO3 (aq)

Sulfuric Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Nitric Acid

Minerals to make these acids are present

in large quantities, are easily transported,
and properties do not change on shelf

Alchemist Subtypes:
Four types of alchemist:

a) mystical or religious
b) philosophical
c) mercenary
d) scientific

Aristotle
Greek Philosopher: Aristotle

a) gold and circle as examples of nature's

perfection
b) 4 Primal Elements of Greeks: Earth, Air,
Fire, Water

Influence of Aristotle
Rule of Aristotle for 2000 years:

a) common sense
b) comprehensive
c) Church taught it
d) 17th century brought scientific
approach
e) alchemy provided services

Alchemy to chemistry
Democritus:

first idea of atom

Geber:discovered acids
Paracelsus: last alchemist/first chemist
Robert Boyle: definition of atom
Georg Stahl: phlogiston theory

Joseph Priestley
Oxygen experiments
Phlogiston problem
First to create carbonated beverages

Antoine Lavoisier
a) 101 day reflux experiment
b) candle in water experiment
c) tin box experiment

Accomplishments of Lavoisier
Known as Father of chemistry
First chemistry textbook
First to explain true nature of burning
Named oxygen
Naming system

for chemicals
Explained Law of Conservation of Mass

Henry Cavendish
Scientist that proved water to be a

combination of elements
Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq) + CuSO4 (aq)
CuSO4 (aq) + H2 (g) + ZnSO4 (aq)
2H2 (g) + O2 (g) + energy 2H2O (l)
Catalyst, exothermic chemical reaction,

aqueous, zinc sulfate single displacement

chemical reaction