Branches in the tree of chemistry

The general field of chemistry is so huge that it was originally subdivided into a number of different areas of specialization. But there s now a tremendous amount of overlap between the different areas of chemistry, just as there is among the various sciences. Here are the traditional fields of chemistry  

Analytical chemistry This branch is highly involved in the analysis of substances. Chemists from this field of chemistry may be trying to find out what substances are in a mixture (qualitative analysis) or how much of a particular substance is present (quantitative analysis) in something. A lot of instrumentation is used in analytical chemistry. 

Inorganic chemistry This branch is involved in the study of inorg ic compounds such as salts. It includes the study of the structure and properties of these compounds. It also commonly involves the study of the individual elements of the compounds. Inorganic chemists would probably say that it is the study of everything except carbon, which they leave to the org2uiic chemists. 

So what are compounds and elements Just more of the anatomy of matter. Matter is made up of either pure substances or mixtures of pure substances, and substances themselves are made up of either elements or compounds. (Chapter 2 dissects the anatomy of matter. And, as with all matters of dissection, it s best to be prepared — with a nose plug and an empty stomach.) 

Organic chemistry This is the study of carbon and its compounds. It s I probably the most organized of the areas of chemistry — with good H reason. There are millions of organic compounds, with thousands more discovered or created each year. Industries such as the poljoner industry, the petrochemical industry, and the pharmaceutical industry depend on organic chemists. 

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