1. Chemistry’s Role in the World

2. Materials Chemists design materials to fit specific needs.
examples: nylon and velcro
Macroscopic – able to see with the unaided eye.
Microscopic – able to see only under magnification.

3. Energy
Chemists play an essential role in finding ways to conserve, produce, and store energy.
Population growth and industrialization lead to higher energy demand.
Conservation – ex. Insulation
Production – ex. Biodiesel as fuel (oil from soybeans) in stead of fossil fuels.
Storage – ex. Rechargeable batteries

4. Medicine and Biotechnology
Chemistry supplies the medicines, materials, and technology that doctors use to treat their patients.
Medicines – interact with specific chemicals in cells to be effective. Over prescription drugs.
Materials – repairing or replacement body parts. Ex. Artificial hips and joints made from metals and plastics, stents arteries.
Biotechnology – inserting human genes to bacteria to produce insulin to treat diabetes.

5. Agriculture
Chemists help to develop more productive crops and safer, more effective ways to protect crops.
Productivity – testing soil for the right chemical conditions to grow crops, conservation of water by determining when a crop needs water
Crop Protection – simulating chemicals developed by plants and insects to combat specific pests

6. The Environment
Chemists help identify pollutants and prevent pollution.
Identify – Very low levels of lead is harmful to humans (brain damage, reduced growth and ability to learn) can ex. lead paint, gasoline, water pipes
Prevent – ex. lead paint banned in 1978, testing blood, public awareness, regulation of home sales.

7. The Universe
To study the universe, chemists gather data from afar and analyze matter that is brought back to Earth.
Helium was discovered by studying the sun. (helios)
Moon rocks analyzed show they are similar to rocks formed by volcanoes on Earth. (What does that suggest?)
Space probe, Opportunity, determines the chemical composition of rocks and soil on Mars. Data collected suggested the landing area was drenched with water.