Alchemy and Modern Chemistry

Name: Nada Al Zahrani

Class: EAP 1 B

Date: 4/28/11

Major: Chemistry

Reading Reaction Journal#4

Reference:

Mulder, H. (2011, April 19). Alchemy and Modern Chemistry. Science and You. From http://www.scienceandyou.org/articles/ess_08.shtml

Summary:

            This article talks about chemistry history. By magicians and charlatans was the beginning of chemistry. How were the chemistry and chemical reactions in the past? It told about some uses of old chemical reactions. The old idea of chemistry is that it could convert base metals to the metal which is expensive. Many countries dealt with gold differently. How was the discovery of chemistry? How did chemistry spread in the world?

Reaction:

            In the past people thought that chemistry was a kind of magic, and that chemistry and the witchcraft were two sides of one coin. Perhaps magicians were the first ones who used chemistry. But fortunately this idea has faded over time. This is perhaps also because they were not able to transform base metals to precious. Chemistry today is one of the most important disciplines in the whole world. Since chemistry began until now, it has been in constant evolution. Chemistry is everything in our lives today, in the air, water, food, medicines, detergents, and even in our bodies. I think we do not have something in this life that does not pertain to chemistry in its composition. By chemistry, natural materials are converted to raw materials to meet human needs, making the possibility of chemicals that are produced from coal and oil, some new materials like drugs, perfumes and plastics (pvc), and synthetic rubber. Chemistry contributes in the field of agriculture with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It contributes in the production of synthetic fibers, and in the field of clothing and textiles. Finally, I think that chemistry is everything in life.