The idea of general chemistry refers to chemistry broadly.
The first thing we are going to do is determine the etymological origin of the term chemistry . And in this sense we can say that it is a word that derives from Arabic, from kimiyá , which can be translated as "philosopher's stone."
Chemistry is the name of a science that is often mentioned as the evolution of alchemy. Chemists are responsible for studying the composition, structure, properties and changes of a matter.
As you can imagine, this is a very broad field of study. That is why there are different disciplines and specialties within chemistry, according to the specific object of study, the characteristics of the subject being studied, etc.
What is general chemistry
In this way, we can refer to organic chemistry (which analyzes substances whose compounds contain carbon), inorganic chemistry (focused on compounds and simple substances that do not have carbon) and analytical chemistry (the discipline that uses instruments and laboratory tools to carry out your analysis), among others.
If we refer to general chemistry , we will be referring to chemistry in its broadest sense . That is why this name is known as introductory subjects or subjects to this science , or basic courses that are responsible for teaching the essential principles and foundations of it.
Atoms and molecules are part of the subject of study of general chemistry.
Academic courses
Thus, there are numerous academic courses that are precisely proposed under the title of General Chemistry. Thus, through them, students can discover everything from its basic notions to its different modalities, including the different applications it has in various fields.
In addition to the above, we can say that the students of the university degree in Pharmacy have a subject that responds to the name of General Chemistry . In it, they not only learn what the basic principles of that discipline are or the different types that exist, but they also discover how it is applied to the pharmaceutical field. In the same way, they study what chemical reasoning is and develop certain skills for solving problems with that subject.
The book «General Chemistry»
One of the most important works on the subject at hand is precisely titled "General Chemistry" . It is performed by Ralph H. Petrucci, Carey Bissonnette and F. Geoffrey Herring and Jeffry D. Madura .
It already has up to ten editions and it addresses issues such as the properties of matter, chemical compounds, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, intermolecular forces , solutions or what is known as the principle of chemical equilibrium. It has become a go-to book for all those beginning to study the aforementioned scientific discipline.
Study object
Through general chemistry, therefore, we work with the fundamental entities of chemistry: protons, electrons and neutrons, which are simple particles. Composite particles such as atoms , molecules and atomic nuclei also appear in this context. General chemistry, on the other hand, studies the principles of chemical reactions (the process that allows energy exchange between a system and its environment).
Chemistry specialties, of course, start from general chemistry before entering each specific field.