Grade 8
  1. Introduction to Chemistry  1.1. Nature and scope of chemistry  1.2. Importance of chemistry in daily life  1.3. Chemistry and its relation with other sciences  1.4. The role of chemistry in industry, medicine and the environment  1.5. Scientific investigation and experimental methods in chemistry
  2. Matter and its properties  2.1. Definition and classification of matter  2.2. Physical and chemical properties of matter  2.3. Law of conservation of matter  2.4. Extensive and Intensive Properties of Matter  2.5. Kinetic molecular theory of matter  2.6. States of matter: solids, liquids, gases, plasmas, and Bose-Einstein condensates  2.7. Changes in state and energy are involved  2.8. Diffusion and Brownian motion
  3. Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures  3.1. Definition and differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures  3.2. Atomic Structure and Atomic Number  3.3. Chemical symbols and formulas  3.4. Trends in the Periodic Table (Groups and Periods)  3.5. Classification of Elements: Metals, Nonmetals and Metalloids  3.6. Rare Earth Elements and Transition Metals  3.7. Types of mixtures: homogeneous and heterogeneous  3.8. Separation of Mixtures Using Physical and Chemical Methods
  4. Separation Techniques  4.1. Filtration, Sedimentation and Decantation  4.2. Evaporation and crystallization  4.3. Distillation and Fractional Distillation  4.4. Chromatography and its applications  4.5. Sublimation in the purification of compounds  4.6. The role of centrifugation in biochemical processes
  5. Atomic Structure  5.1. Dalton's atomic theory  5.2. Structure of the atom: protons, neutrons and electrons  5.3. Bohr's atomic model  5.4. Introduction to Quantum Mechanical Model  5.5. Electron Configuration and Energy Levels  5.6. Excitation and emission spectra  5.7. Isotopes and their applications
  6. Periodic Table and Chemical Trends  6.1. History and Development of the Periodic Table  6.2. Modern periodic law  6.3. Periodicity and trends in atomic and ionic sizes  6.4. Ionization Energy, Electron Affinity and Electronegativity  6.5. Introduction to Lanthanides and Actinides  6.6. Application of periodic trends in chemistry
  7. Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure  7.1. Types of chemical bonds: ionic, covalent and metallic bonds  7.3. Polar and Nonpolar Molecules  7.4. Hydrogen bonding and its applications  7.5. Intermolecular forces: dipole-dipole, London dispersion force
  8. Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry  8.1. Chemical Equations and Balance  8.2. Types of Chemical Reactions: Combination, Decomposition, Displacement and Redox  8.3. Introduction to stoichiometry and the mole concept  8.4. Limiting reactant in chemical equations  8.5. Reaction rate, catalyst, and factors affecting reaction rate
  9. Acids, Bases and Salts  9.1. Definition and Properties of Acids and Bases  9.2. Strong vs. Weak Acids and Bases  9.3. pH Scale and pH Calculation  9.4. Neutralization reactions  9.5. Buffer solutions and their importance  9.6. Applications of Acids, Bases and Salts in Daily Life
  10. Solutions and Solubility  10.1. Definition of Solution, Solute, and Solvent  10.2. Factors Affecting Solubility  10.3. Concentration units: molarity and molality  10.4. Saturated, unsaturated and supersaturated solutions  10.5. Concept of osmosis and reverse osmosis  10.6. Concentrative properties of solutions
  11. Gases and Gas Laws  11.1. Properties of gases  11.2. Introduction to Ideal and Real Gases  11.3. Boyle's Law, Charles' Law and Avogadro's Law  11.4. Ideal Gas Equation and Its Applications  11.5. Application of Gas Laws in Real Life
  12. Thermochemistry and energy transformation  12.1. Energy in Chemical Reactions  12.2. Exothermic vs. Endothermic Reactions  12.3. Heat and Enthalpy Changes  12.4. Calorimetry and heat transfer in reactions
  13. Metals and Nonmetals  13.1. Physical and Chemical Properties of Metals and Nonmetals  13.2. Reactivity Series of Metals  13.3. Corrosion and its prevention  13.4. Extraction of metals from ores  13.5. Uses of metals and non-metals in daily life
  14. Introduction to Organic Chemistry  14.1. Characteristics of carbon and organic compounds  14.2. Functional groups and their importance  14.3. Simple Hydrocarbons: Alkenes, Alkenes and Alkynes  14.4. Isomerism in organic compounds  14.5. Introduction to polymers and their uses
  15. Environmental Chemistry and Sustainability  15.1. Green Chemistry Principles  15.2. Effects of Chemical Pollution on Ecosystems  15.3. Acid rain and its effects  15.4. Ozone layer depletion and global warming  15.5. Waste Management and Recycling in Chemistry

Grade 8 → Introduction to Chemistry ↓


Importance of chemistry in daily life


Chemistry is all around us. It's in the air we breathe, in the food we eat and in the products we use. But why is chemistry so important in our daily lives? In this article, we'll explore the role of chemistry in different aspects of everyday life.

What is chemistry?

Chemistry is the branch of science that studies the properties, structure, and changes of matter. It helps us understand how substances interact with each other and what results from these interactions. Without chemistry, we wouldn't know how to make new materials, develop medicines, or create clean energy.

Chemistry in the kitchen

When you cook food, chemistry comes into play. Let's consider making a cake. The main ingredients often include flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder. But how do these ingredients come together to form a cake? Chemistry helps as follows:

  • Flour: Contains the protein that forms gluten. When mixed with water, gluten gives dough its elasticity.
  • Sugar: It is caramelized to give the cake a sweet taste and color.
  • Eggs: Their proteins open up and bind together when heated, helping cakes to rise and rise.
  • Baking Powder: When heated it releases carbon dioxide (CO2) gas which makes cakes light and fluffy.

A simple equation for the reaction that produces carbon dioxide in baking is:

    NaHCO3 + heat → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

Chemistry in cleaning

Chemistry plays an important role in cleaning products. Let's take a look at soaps and detergents:

Soap is made from a chemical reaction between an acid and a base, usually fatty acids and sodium hydroxide. The reaction can be represented as follows:

    Fatty Acid + NaOH → Soap + Glycerol

Soap molecules have two ends, one that likes water (hydrophilic) and one that likes oils and grease (hydrophobic). When you wash your hands, the soap molecules surround the oil particles on your skin, allowing the water to wash them away.

Hydrophilic Hydrophobic

Chemistry in health

Chemistry is important in the development of medicines. For example, the pain reliever aspirin is produced by chemically modifying a natural compound from the bark of willow trees. Understanding how chemical compounds interact with our bodies helps scientists design medicines that help fight diseases and relieve symptoms.

Many vitamins and minerals are chemical compounds essential for our health. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a molecule that helps repair tissues and produce enzymes. Iron, a part of the hemoglobin molecule, is important for transporting oxygen in the blood.

Chemistry in energy

Energy production often involves chemical reactions. For example, burning natural gas to heat our homes can be written as a chemical equation:

    CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O
CH4 O2 CO2 H2O

Newer forms of energy, such as solar panels and batteries, also use chemical reactions. A typical battery generates electricity through chemical reactions, facilitating electricity storage and transfer.

Chemistry in the environment

Chemistry helps us understand environmental processes. For example, photosynthesis is the process in which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds that are vital to life on Earth.

    6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

Chemistry also helps tackle pollution problems. By understanding chemical reactions, scientists can create solutions to reduce pollution in the air, water, and soil.

Chemistry in substances

Many everyday items are made using chemical processes. For example, plastics are a product of organic chemistry, derived from petroleum. Metals are extracted from ores found in nature using chemical reactions.

Iron ore Metal

Batteries, synthetic clothing, and even the smartphone you’re probably reading this on were made possible by advances in chemical understanding.

Conclusion

Chemistry is an integral part of our lives. It helps us understand the physical world, enables technological advancement, and provides solutions to many of our daily challenges. Whether it is the food we eat, the air we breathe, or the technology we use, chemistry is at the core of it all. Understanding even a little bit of chemistry can open up a world of insights about how things work and improve our lives in many ways.


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Nature and scope of chemistry
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