Chemistry

If you’ve ever smelled vinegar or rancid butter, you’ve already encountered carboxylic acids. Acetic acid, which gives vinegar its sour taste, and butyric acid, responsible for the smell of rancid butter, are both common examples. Carboxylic acids are characterized by a carboxyl group (-COOH), which influences their behavior in chemical reactions. Let’s explore what makes …

Think about how vegetable oil turns into margarine or how simple plastic products are made. These everyday transformations happen through addition reactions. In these reactions, molecules combine to form larger ones. From the hydrogenation of oils to the creation of polymers like plastic, addition reactions are all around us. Let’s explore the addition types, like …

Imagine two compounds with the same number of atoms, yet one smells like oranges while the other smells like lemons. This difference occurs because of isomerism—where molecules have identical molecular formulas but different structures. These structural changes can lead to distinct chemical and physical properties, just like the scents in these fruits. Isomers are divided …

Hydrocarbons are essential organic compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen. These molecules are the foundation for many fuels and industrial materials. Hydrocarbons can have different bonds between carbon atoms, changing their structure and properties. Some hydrocarbons have only single bonds, while others may have double or triple bonds. This variety allows them to be …

Solubility describes how much of a substance (solute) can dissolve in a solvent to form a solution. It is an important concept in chemistry, as it determines how substances mix and interact. Factors like temperature, pressure, and the properties of the solute and solvent affect solubility. We will explore the basics of solubility, including terms …

Salts are ionic compounds formed when acids react with bases. They consist of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, making them electrically neutral. You use salts daily, from table salt (sodium chloride) to salts in chemical reactions. These compounds are important in many areas, including food preservation, water treatment, and chemical production. Let’s examine …

Metallic bonds form when free electrons move through a lattice of positively charged metal ions. This electron movement explains key properties of metals, such as their ability to conduct electricity and resist breaking under stress. Metals are widely used due to their durability, conductivity, and malleability—all of which result from the strong metallic bonds between …

In every chemical reaction, energy is absorbed or released, affecting the surrounding temperature. Exothermic reactions release heat, making the surroundings warmer, while endothermic reactions absorb heat, cooling the environment. The reaction type depends on whether energy is released or absorbed during bond formation and breaking. This process is seen in everyday phenomena like combustion, photosynthesis, …

Matter exists in different forms based on particle arrangement and energy levels. The four classical states of matter—solid, liquid, gas, and plasma—are part of our daily experiences. Solids retain shape and volume, liquids flow but maintain volume, gases spread to fill space, and plasma is charged and highly energetic. Each state has distinct properties that …