1. What is a Chemical?
A chemical is any substance that has a specific composition and properties.
It can exist in the form of a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma and can either occur naturally (like water) or be synthesized artificially (like plastic).
In simple words:
A chemical is any material made of matter with a fixed composition.
2. Definition of Chemical (Scientific)
“A chemical is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties, capable of undergoing chemical reactions to form new substances.“
3. Examples of Common Chemicals
| Name | Formula | Type | Found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | H₂O | Inorganic | Drinking water, rivers |
| Oxygen | O₂ | Element | Air, respiration |
| Sodium Chloride | NaCl | Salt | Table salt, sea water |
| Ethanol | C₂H₆O | Organic | Alcoholic beverages |
| Ammonia | NH₃ | Compound | Cleaning products |
| Plastic (PVC) | (C₂H₃Cl)n | Polymer | Pipes, cables |
4.Types of Chemicals
4.1 Organic Chemicals
Contain carbon atoms.
Examples: Proteins, carbohydrates, plastics, oils.
4.2 Inorganic Chemicals
Usually do not contain carbon.
Examples: Salts, metals, minerals, acids, bases.
5. Natural vs Synthetic Chemicals
| Natural Chemicals | Synthetic Chemicals |
|---|---|
| Occur naturally in environment | Made by humans in labs/factories |
| Examples: Water, Oxygen, Sugars | Examples: Plastic, Pesticides, Dyes |
6. Applications of Chemicals in Daily Life
🏥 Medicine: Antibiotics, vaccines, chemotherapy drugs.
🧼 Cleaning: Soaps, detergents, disinfectants.
🚗 Industry: Paints, fuels, adhesives.
🍔 Food: Preservatives, flavor enhancers, colors.
🌾 Agriculture: Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides.
7. Chemical Safety
Many chemicals can be hazardous.
Always handle with proper protection: gloves, masks, goggles.
Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used in labs or industries.
8. How Chemicals React: Chemical Reactions
A chemical reaction happens when chemicals interact and transform into new substances.
Basic chemical reaction example:
2H2+O2→2H2O2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O
(Hydrogen gas + Oxygen gas = Water)
9. Shopping Chemicals (Industrial/Research Use)
Amazon Business: Basic chemicals, lab kits.
Sigma-Aldrich: Research-grade chemicals.
Merck: Pharmaceutical-grade chemicals.
(⚠️ Industrial chemicals often require licenses and safety protocols.)
10. Final Thoughts
Chemicals are everywhere — in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the products we use.
