Editing Chemistry (section)

===Subdisciplines===
{{see also|Outline of chemistry#Branches of chemistry}}Chemistry is typically divided into several major sub-disciplines. There are also several main cross-disciplinary and more specialized fields of chemistry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chemistry Subdisciplines |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/chemistry-subdisciplines |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca |language=en}}</ref>

* [[Analytical chemistry]] is the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their [[chemical composition]] and [[Chemical structure|structure]]. Analytical chemistry incorporates standardized experimental methods in chemistry. These methods may be used in all subdisciplines of chemistry, excluding purely theoretical chemistry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Analytical Chemistry |url=https://www.acs.org/careers/chemical-sciences/areas/analytical-chemistry.html |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=American Chemical Society |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:DU640_spectrophotometer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|In analytical chemistry, [[spectroscopy]] studies interactions between electromagnetic radiation (light) and matter.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Skoog |first1=Douglas A. |title=Principles of instrumental analysis |last2=Holler |first2=F. James |last3=Crouch |first3=Stanley R. |date=2018 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1-305-57721-3 |edition=7th |location=Australia |pages=120}}</ref> A [[Spectrophotometry|spectrophotometer]] is a machine used to measure the effect light has on matter. The model pictured is the Beckman DU-640]]
* [[Biochemistry]] is the study of the [[Chemical compound|chemicals]], [[chemical reaction]]s and interactions that take place at a molecular level in living [[organism]]s. Biochemistry is highly interdisciplinary, covering [[medicinal chemistry]], [[neurochemistry]], [[molecular biology]], [[Forensic science|forensics]], [[plant science]] and [[genetics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Studying Biochemistry |url=https://www.biochemistry.org/careers-and-education/studying-biochemistry/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=www.biochemistry.org |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Inorganic chemistry]] is the study of the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds, such as metals and minerals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inorganic Chemistry |url=https://www.acs.org/careers/chemical-sciences/areas/inorganic-chemistry.html |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=American Chemical Society |language=en}}</ref> The distinction between organic and inorganic disciplines is not absolute and there is much overlap, most importantly in the sub-discipline of [[organometallic chemistry]].
[[File:Metallocenes3.png|left|thumb|upright=1.6|The [[Kaminsky catalyst]] is an organometallic complex that features either [[zirconium]] or [[hafnium]] metal centers. Depending on the placement of the catalyst's [[cyclopentadiene]] [[ligand]]s, it can produce [[polypropylene]]s with different [[tacticity]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kaminsky |first=Walter |date=1998-01-01 |title=Highly active metallocene catalysts for olefin polymerization |url=https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/1998/dt/a800056e |journal=Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions |language=en |issue=9 |pages=1413–1418 |doi=10.1039/A800056E |issn=1364-5447}}</ref> '''1''' creates atactic polypropylene, which is soft and [[Amorphous solid|amorphous]] with a free-flowing composition. '''2''' creates isotactic polypropylene, which is hard and used in re-usable plastic containers. '''3''' creates syndiotactic polypropylene, which is rubbery and semi-crystalline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Polypropylene |url=https://pslc.ws/macrog/pp.htm |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=pslc.ws |language=en}}</ref>]]
* [[Materials Chemistry|Materials chemistry]] is the preparation, characterization, and understanding of solid state components or devices with a useful current or future function.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fahlman |first=Bradley D. |title=Materials Chemistry |date=2011 |publisher=Springer Netherlands Springer e-books Imprint: Springer |isbn=978-94-007-0693-4 |edition=1st |location=Dordrecht |pages=1–4}}</ref> The field is a new breadth of study in graduate programs, and it integrates elements from all classical areas of chemistry like [[organic chemistry]], [[inorganic chemistry]], and [[crystallography]] with a focus on fundamental issues that are unique to [[material]]s. Primary systems of study include the chemistry of condensed phases (solids, liquids, [[polymers]]) and [[Interface (chemistry)|interfaces]] between different phases.
* [[Neurochemistry]] is the study of [[neurochemicals]]; including transmitters, peptides, proteins, lipids, sugars, and nucleic acids; their interactions, and the roles they play in forming, maintaining, and modifying the nervous system.
* [[Nuclear chemistry]] is the study of how subatomic particles come together and make nuclei. Modern [[Nuclear transmutation|transmutation]] is a large component of nuclear chemistry, and the [[table of nuclides]] is an important result and tool for this field. In addition to [[Nuclear medicine|medical applications]], nuclear chemistry encompasses [[nuclear engineering]] which explores the topic of using [[nuclear power]] sources for generating energy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nuclear Chemistry |url=https://www.acs.org/careers/chemical-sciences/fields/nuclear-chemistry.html |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=American Chemical Society |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-18 |title=21: Nuclear Chemistry |url=https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map%3A_Chemistry_-_The_Central_Science_(Brown_et_al.)/21%3A_Nuclear_Chemistry |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Libretexts |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Little Boy bomb.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The [[Little Boy]] is an [[Nuclear weapon|atomic bomb]] utilizing a [[uranium-235]] [[Nuclear fission|fission reaction]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Little Boy and Fat Man – Nuclear Museum |url=https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/little-boy-and-fat-man/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ |language=en-US}}</ref> By firing sub-critical uranium into another mass of sub-critical uranium within the bomb, creating a [[supercritical mass]], a self-sustaining nuclear reaction starts. It generated an explosive force of over 15,000 tons of equivalent TNT.]]
* [[Organic chemistry]] is the study of the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms, and [[Chemical reaction|reactions]] of [[organic compound]]s. An organic compound is defined as any compound based on a carbon skeleton. Organic compounds can be classified, organized and understood in reactions by their [[functional group]]s, unit atoms or molecules that show characteristic chemical properties in a compound.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Brown |first1=William Henry |title=Organic chemistry |last2=Iverson |first2=Brent L. |last3=Anslyn |first3=Eric V. |last4=Foote |first4=Christopher S. |date=2018 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1-305-58035-0 |edition=8th |location=Boston, Massachusetts |pages=19}}</ref>
[[File:4-Hydroxybutanal.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[4-Hydroxybutanal]] is an [[organic compound]] with an [[aldehyde]] (right) functional group and an [[Alcohol (chemistry)|alcohol]] (left) functional group.]]
* [[Physical chemistry]] is the study of the physical and fundamental basis of chemical systems and processes. In particular, the energetics and dynamics of such systems and processes are of interest to physical chemists. Important areas of study include [[chemical thermodynamics]], [[chemical kinetics]], [[electrochemistry]], [[statistical mechanics]], [[spectroscopy]], and more recently, [[astrochemistry]]. Physical chemistry has large overlap with [[molecular physics]]. Physical chemistry involves the use of [[Calculus|infinitesimal calculus]] in deriving equations. It is usually associated with [[quantum chemistry]] and theoretical chemistry. Physical chemistry is a distinct discipline from [[chemical physics]], but again, there is very strong overlap.
* [[Theoretical chemistry]] is the study of chemistry via fundamental theoretical reasoning (usually within [[mathematics]] or [[physics]]). In particular the application of [[quantum mechanics]] to chemistry is called [[quantum chemistry]]. Since the end of the [[World War II|Second World War]], the development of computers has allowed a systematic development of [[computational chemistry]], which is the art of developing and applying [[computer program]]s for solving chemical problems. Theoretical chemistry has large overlap with (theoretical and experimental) [[condensed matter physics]] and [[molecular physics]].
[[File:Solvay_conference_1927.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|The [[Solvay Conference|Solvay Conference of 1927]] featured foundational scientists to the field of theoretical chemistry and physics. This conference discussed [[electron]]s and [[photon]]s]]

Other subdivisions include [[electrochemistry]], [[femtochemistry]], [[Flavoring|flavor chemistry]], [[flow chemistry]], [[immunohistochemistry]], [[hydrogenation|hydrogenation chemistry]], [[mathematical chemistry]], [[molecular mechanics]], [[natural product chemistry]], [[organometallic chemistry]], [[petrochemistry]], [[photochemistry]], [[physical organic chemistry]], [[polymer chemistry]], [[radiochemistry]], [[sonochemistry]], [[supramolecular chemistry]], [[synthetic chemistry]], and many others.