How Chemistry has changed the world

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Chemistry is perceived by many as a foreign concept that belongs to the world of textbooks and academia which have no relevance in our daily lives. You will be surprised only to realize that no aspect of our life that does not involve the application of chemistry.

Generally, chemistry is the scientific study of the building blocks of matter known as molecules. It is a core of our existence which finds its way to the investigation of earth, the human body, energy, material, food, etc. Moreover, the chemistry industry has provided prosperity and wealth to our society which underpins the world progress.

So, how has chemistry changed the world?

Below is a snapshot of a world changing discoveries in chemistry which has seen the world become a better place. From the copper age of 5000BC to the digital era of biotechnology and Nanoscience, chemistry is the driving force behind the changes in our lives in the world.

The Haber - Bosch process

Nitrogen is an integral part of biochemistry of every living thing in this world. Although nitrogen gas is the most common gas in our atmosphere, its reaction is low hence plants and animals find it hard to extract it from the air. Consequently, the availability of this gas has been a major limiting factor in the field of agriculture.

However, in 1910, chemistry became a world-changing science when Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch combined atmospheric nitrogen gas with hydrogen to produce ammonia. The discovery of the Haber-Bosch process is so significant that about 80% of nitrogen within our bodies come from this process making it the most important factor why there is a population explosion in the past 100 years. Eventually, nitrogen, when combined with hydrogen gas, produced ammonia which is today used as a crop fertilizer hence filtering up the food chain to the human beings and other animals.

Polythene

Who knew that waxy substance discovered accidentally at the bottom of the test tube could change the world? It first occurred in 1898 when Hans Von Pechmann, a German Chemist noticed a waxy substance at the bottom of his tube when investigating an entirely different thing. With his colleagues, when they examined the waxy substance, they discovered that it was made up of long molecular chains which they later called them polymethylene. Although the use of polythene to make plastics was not practical until 1933, polythene has filled part of our daily lives. From food packaging to water pipes, polythene industry has created millions of job opportunities across the globe.

Penicillin

The discovery of the penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 brought a new era in the world of medicine. Although Alexander Fleming did not find a way to extract any usable penicillin till 1939 when Australian Pharmacologist Howard Florey figured the way, penicillin discovery has helped to save millions of lives especially World War II. Today, penicillin is used as an antibacterial drug which has helped us to reduce the fatality of thorn prick to a sore throat.

Other discoveries of chemistry include Liquid crystal displays, the pill, and the Mexican yam among others.

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Chemists have changed the world, and as a chemistry student, you have the dreams to change the world too. However, most of the time we lack enough time to beat deadlines in our homework and assignments. In case you are finding it difficult to complete your chemistry homework on time, do not be worried or stressed. Thousands of students across the globe are experiencing the same. All you have to do is contact us now and see what we have on board for you regarding help with chemistry problems.