What is chemistry?
Chemistry investigates what substances are made of. The word “substance” here means
solids, liquids, and gases. What properties do substances have? How can they be
transformed into other substances? These are further questions that chemistry deals with. Today, we know that all substances are made up of only 118 different
building blocks. These are called elements. They are represented and organized in the periodic table of elements (see illustration).
Each element is abbreviated there by one or two letters. Even though there are only 118 elements, there are many more than 118 different substances, because substances can consist of more than one element. When different elements combine with each other, new substances are created. You can think of the elements like individual Lego bricks. Depending on how you put them together, completely different structures are created. So you can think of the substances as the structures.
What is a chemist?
A chemist is someone who has studied chemistry at a university. Nowadays, there are degrees like Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate. To obtain these, one must attend university for three, five, or even eight years and pass various exams. The studies consist of lectures, in which one learns a lot about chemistry, and of experimenting with chemicals.
Chemistry as a school subject / Chemistry as a profession
From grade 8 onwards, chemistry is taught as a school subject. After school, there is the option of studying to become a chemist or a chemical engineer. In addition, there are many vocational training professions related to chemistry. These include working in a chemical laboratory, e.g., as a chemical laboratory assistant, or working in the production of a chemical factory, e.g., as a chemical plant operator.