Chemistry is the science used to find out what things are made of and how they can be changed. It was actually the desire to make certain changes that were the beginning of chemistry. Modern chemistry grew out of a study called “alchemy”. In the Middle Ages, alchemists searched for a “philosopher’s stone” which could change other metals into gold. They carried on kinds of experiments in their work.
One of the first men to collect and organize all that was known about chemistry and science was Robert Boyle, who lived in the seventeenth century. He knew that compounds can be broken up into parts.
Other chemists followed Boyle and made new discoveries. Joseph Black studied gases and air. Henry Cavendish discovered hydrogen, one of the elements that make up water. Joseph Priestly discovered oxygen, which is the element commonest in nature. Antoine Lavoisier was the first to clearly explain fire. He also proved that nothing can be destroyed, only changed from one form to another.
John Dalton had an idea that all substances are made of tiny bits of matter. Scientists came to believe that chemical changes came about through the combination of these tiny bits. They are now called “atoms”. The idea of atoms made most of the mysteries of chemistry seem simple and reasonable.
The science of chemistry thus continued to develop and today the chemist has become a creator of new materials. He has learned how to take molecules apart and put them together in different ways.
FAQ
Who Is The First Father Of Chemistry?
Short Answer- Antoine Lavoisier is the first father of chemistry.
Who invented chemistry first?
Short Answer- The first modern chemist was Robert Boyle (1627-1691). Though most famous for his work with gases, Boyle was also the first to disagree with the Greek idea of four elements in his book The Skeptical Chymist, published in 1661.
Who is the mother of chemistry?
Short Answer- Marie Anne Paulze Lavoisier: The Mother of Modern Chemistry.
What is the most important question in chemistry?
Short Answer- The most important question in chemistry is “Where are the electrons?” electronegative atoms (e.g. F, Cl, O, N) of a molecule.
What are the 5 types of chemistry?
Short Answer- Traditionally, chemistry has been broken into five main subdisciplines: Organic, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic, and Biochemistry.