Welcome to Chemistry
What is Chemistry?
• Chemistry is the natural science that involves
the study of matter and the chemical
reactions between substances. It is also the
study of matter’s composition.
What is Matter?
• Matter is anything that has mass and takes up
space. It exists in three distinct forms solid,
liquid and gas.
What is Mass?
• The mass of anything is a measure of the number of atoms in it.
The basic unit of measurement for mass is the kilogram, kg.
• Atoms give rise to elements and elements give rise to
compounds.
• Elements consist of the same types of atoms for example oxygen,
O2, helium, He and hydrogen, H. There are approximately 103
elements known to man, 92 of which are natural.
• Compounds consist of different types of atoms for example
water, H2O, table salt also known as sodium chloride, NaCl and
sugar also known as glucose, C6H12O6.
What is the Goal of Chemistry?
• The main goal of chemistry is to understand
matter and the chemical reactions which take
place in everyday life.
• Chemists use chemistry to make sure
standards are maintained and to solve real
world problems of pollution.
Who Made Up Chemistry?
• No one person made up chemistry. However, the experimental works of many scientists, via their common goal to
understand what matter is and how it behaves via chemical reactions have contributed to the science as we know
it today.
• Here are some early scientists:
Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794)
Famous For: Being the “Father of Modern Chemistry”
Lavoisier was able to show the relationship between oxygen and metal, resulting in rust. He also was able to show
the role of oxygen in plant respiration and in animals. It was he who showed that water was made of hydrogen and
oxygen, and that air was composed mainly of oxygen and nitrogen in its gaseous state.
Dmitri Mendeleev (1834–1907)
Famous For: Creating the table of elements used in chemistry and physics
In addition to the creation of the periodic table, Mendeleev work on the spectroscope and the capillarity of liquids,
both of which continue to be used to this day. Politics got in the way of Dmitri from receiving the Nobel Prize in
1906.
Marie Curie (1867–1934)
Famous For: Discovery of Radium and Polonium
Marie Curie received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of radium and polonium. She was able
to isolate and study the compounds and nature of radium.
Louis Pasteur (1822–1895)
Famous For: The process of Pasteurization and creation of Vaccines for Rabies and Anthrax
In addition to developing the process of Pasteurization, Louis Pasteur discovered the assymetrical molecular
Some Common Areas of Employment for People
Areas of
with
Types of Jobs
Chemistry
Average Annual Jobs available
Employment available Salary quoted in in St. Kitts or
USD Caribbean
Engineering Chemical engineer at
Oil 60 K - 100 K
Yes
Gas
Plastic &
Water companies
Health care Laboratories where you
may be involved in
Yes
Blood analysis 40 K - 140 K
Urine analysis
Detection of dieseases
Education High School Educator
University 60 K - 170 K
Yes
Professor/Lecturer
Research and Data Analyst
Lab Technician 50 K - 60 K
Yes
Technical Research Associate
Technical Specialist
Medicine Doctor
Nurse
Doctor base salary 140 K
Orthopedic surgeon 519 K
Yes
Cardiologist 512 K
Urologist 461 K
Nurse 67 K
Something Discover your own niche Depends on what you are
selling and where you are
Yes
completely selling
different
* ALL quoted salaries are based on the American market, your ability, your level and the employer. If employed in St. Kitts the actual numbers
will be similar however the value will not be the same. For example, 100 K US will be 100 K EC. Therefore a person working in America will be
working for approximately 270 K EC.
CSEC Chemistry Topics
It takes approximately 2 years to learn all of the high school topics listed in the
CSEC syllabus. However, it may take 5 + years to truly understand chemistry.
SECTION Category Year in which they should be
attempted and or completed
A Principles of Chemistry Year 1
B Organic Chemistry Year 2
C InOrganic Chemistry Year 3
Suggestions/Requirements for Chemistry
• Math: (Transposition and Graphing)
• English: (Good writing skills for recording and interpreting
lab results for the practical component of this course. You
would be executing about 18 labs over the course of 3 years)
• Physics: (Strongly suggested as it is closely related to
Chemistry)
• Time: (4 hours per week dedicated to study time)
