Grade 7

Grade 7Introduction to Chemistry


Importance of chemistry in daily life


Chemistry is like a wizard that weaves the fabric of our everyday lives, crafting and shaping the essence of our existence. It is involved in everything from the foods we eat to the environment we live in. Let’s dive deep into the world of chemistry and understand how it silently, yet effectively, plays a vital role in our daily activities.

What is chemistry?

Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the composition, structure and properties of substances and the changes that occur in them during chemical reactions. It is the study of matter and the energy fluctuations that occur during these changes.

Eating and digestion

Every time we eat food, chemistry is at work. Our body digests food through a series of chemical reactions. Enzymes in our digestive system break down food into nutrients that the body absorbs and uses:

Carbohydrates → Glucose
Proteins → Amino Acids
Fats → Fatty Acids + Glycerol

For example, consider how bread is broken:

Bread

Enzymes in saliva convert the starches in bread into simple sugars like glucose, which the body can use for energy.

This process underlines the importance of chemistry in our nutrition and energy acquisition.

Cleanliness and health

Household cleaning is another area where chemistry plays an important role. Soaps and detergents are chemical compounds that help us clean contaminants from surfaces and our bodies.

The chemistry of soap involves the action of molecules that are dual in nature:

  • Hydrophilic head: attracted to water
  • Hydrophobic tail: repels water and binds with oils

This property allows them to emulsify oils and dirt, allowing them to be washed away with water:

H2O

In the cleaning scenario, water droplets are drawn toward the hydrophilic head, while oil and grease are captured by the hydrophobic tail, removing grime from surfaces.

Clothing and textiles

Every piece of clothing you wear owes its properties to chemistry. The fibers in your clothing, whether natural like cotton and wool or synthetic like polyester, are studied in chemistry for texture, durability and reaction to dyes.

Consider this:

Cotton: C 6 H 10 O 5
Polyester: (C 10 H 8 O 4) n
cotton bed sheet

The natural polymer structure of cotton (which is primarily cellulose) is arranged in such a way that it provides ease of breathability and comfort.

The process of dyeing, which involves chemical reactions between fibers and dyes, enables us to enjoy wearing vibrant clothes.

Health and medicine

Chemistry is the basis of pharmaceuticals and healthcare. The medicines we take are made of chemical compounds specifically designed to interact with our biological systems in beneficial ways.

Antibiotics, antivirals, painkillers and vaccines are all products of medicinal chemistry:

Penicillin (C 16 H 18 N 2 O 4 S)

This chemical compound fights against bacterial infections by interfering with the cell wall synthesis of bacteria and inactivating them.

Personal care products

From the toothpaste you use in the morning to the deodorant you apply, chemicals are involved in the manufacturing and efficacy of all personal care items.

The fluoride in your toothpaste helps protect your teeth from cavities:

Sodium Fluoride (NaF)
Toothpaste

This compound chemically bonds with tooth enamel and makes it resistant to decay.

The air we breathe

Chemistry deals with the composition of air and its importance to life. Air is primarily a mixture of nitrogen (N 2) and oxygen (O 2), with some percentage of other gases.

Air Composition:
Nitrogen: 78%
Oxygen: 21%
Other Gases (Argon, Carbon Dioxide, etc.): 1%

Oxygen is vital for respiration and combustion, making it an essential part of our existence.

Energy production

The energy we use for our homes and transportation has a significant chemistry component. Fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable resources all derive their utility from chemical reactions:

Coal

The combustion of coal, which is a hydrocarbon, releases energy that helps power turbines to generate electricity.

Creating alternatives such as biofuels and solar cells is part of green chemistry, which aims to find sustainable solutions.

Environmental chemistry

Chemistry also helps us understand and solve environmental problems. One example of this is the study of acid rain, which occurs when water droplets combine with sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere to form sulfuric or nitric acid:

H 2 O + SO 2 → H 2 SO 3

Understanding these reactions helps in formulating policies and strategies to control pollution and preserve natural ecosystems.

Cooking and food preservation

The delicious food you eat is the result of many chemical reactions that take place during cooking. Heat changes the chemical structure of the ingredients, creating the delicious flavors and textures we enjoy.

Baking involves several chemical reactions, including the role of baking powder:

NaHCO 3 + H + → CO 2 + H 2 O

This reaction results in the formation of carbon dioxide gas, which helps the dough to rise and makes the cake soft.

Preservation techniques, such as pickling, salting, and dehydration, all use principles of chemistry to extend the shelf life of foods.

Conclusion

The impact of chemistry is enormous and is widely involved in our day-to-day activities. From waking up in the morning to going to bed at night, chemistry makes our lives more convenient, healthier, and full of possibilities. Understanding these chemical processes increases our understanding of the physical and non-physical benefits that chemistry provides. As students, it is important to understand its pervasiveness in order to understand how science constantly impacts our world.


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