The main branches of chemistry are usually divided into five core areas, though many specialized sub-branches also exist. Here are the key ones:
- Organic Chemistry
- Study of compounds containing carbon (except simple ones like CO₂, CO, and carbonates).
- Deals with fuels, plastics, medicines, dyes, and biological molecules.
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Study of elements and compounds that are not based on carbon.
- Includes metals, minerals, salts, and coordination compounds.
- Important in materials science, metallurgy, and industrial chemistry.
- Physical Chemistry
- Study of the energy, rates, and physical behavior of chemical systems.
- Combines principles of physics and chemistry (e.g., thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum chemistry).
- Explains why and how reactions occur.
- Analytical Chemistry
- Focuses on identifying and quantifying substances.
- Uses techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and titration.
- Important in quality control, forensic science, and environmental testing.
- Biochemistry
- Study of the chemical processes in living organisms.
- Covers proteins, enzymes, DNA, metabolism, and hormones.
- Bridges chemistry and biology, vital for medicine and biotechnology.
Other modern branches include environmental chemistry, industrial chemistry, polymer chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and theoretical chemistry.