Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry is the science which looks at how all matter is composed, what its properties are and how it reacts and interacts with other matter. It helps you to understand how reactions can be used to form new substances, how easily and quickly they can be made and how you can analyse and identify them. Sometimes described as the ‘hidden science’, Chemistry is not always recognised but its influence is felt in every aspect of our lives, e.g. clothing, food, fuels, building materials, cosmetics (from simple cleaning materials to expensive perfume), plastics, recycling, medicines and new technologies - all of these have their development rooted in Chemistry.