The Fascinating World of Chemistry: Exploring Matter and Its Transformations

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By: Atep Afia Hidayat

Chemistry, like other sciences, continues to advance both in pure and applied fields. Before delving into its developments, it's essential to define chemistry itself.

Several experts define chemistry as the natural science that specifically studies the changes in matter, encompassing both chemical and physical transformations. These changes in matter can be studied through the energy changes accompanying them.

Another perspective states that chemistry is the science that studies the composition, properties, and various transformations of matter. Like other branches of science, chemistry aims to uncover facts about matter. Matter, in essence, is anything that occupies space and has mass. Therefore, chemistry extensively explores the nature of matter and its changes. From a chemical perspective, matter can transform into simpler or more complex forms, as it includes pure substances or combinations of several pure substances (mixtures).

Chemical changes, commonly known as chemical reactions, enable the formation of new substances previously unknown. This opens up significant opportunities across industries, agriculture, medicine, construction, and more. However, not all processes that form new substances are beneficial; many can harm human civilization, such as industrial waste, agricultural waste, household waste, and others. For example, the transformation of pure iron into rust is considered detrimental as it diminishes the material's essential properties.

Chemistry is a scientific discipline that studies the properties, composition, and transformations of matter. Every material possesses unique characteristic properties, has a distinct composition, and undergoes specific transformations into other forms of matter.

Chemistry is truly an essential and intriguing science. Consider that the human body alone consists of various organs, organs are composed of tissues, tissues are made up of cells, and cells are formed from various cell components, which in turn consist of various substances such as amino acids, and more. Additionally, human life necessities are inseparable from various materials such as food, clothing, and shelter. Similarly, interactions between humans, between corporate institutions, and even between state institutions are dominated by transactions involving materials in various forms.

Moreover, humans are thinking beings. Thinking involves using an organ called the brain. According to various studies, the thinking process is a series of biochemical processes. It's not surprising that some connect the proximity between chemistry and psychology. Human behavior is influenced by various biochemical reactions, especially those occurring in the brain. Why does someone become angry or, conversely, happy? It turns out, these reactions are related to various hormone reactions. So, what are hormones? Hormones are chemical substances formed in specific organs or parts of the body, then transported in the bloodstream to other organs or parts of the body, producing specific functional effects.

For example, at the base of the brain (the base of the cerebrum), there is the pituitary gland (hypophysis gland) that produces various hormones such as endorphins. Endorphins are happiness hormones that strengthen the immune system, boost morale, improve creativity, rejuvenate brain cells, combat aging, and reduce aggression in human relationships. A study shows that the action of endorphins is akin to morphine, with about 200 times greater potency. Another finding reveals that consuming coffee and chocolate as beverages can increase endorphin production.

Certain chemical reactions between the components in endorphins and those contained in coffee or chocolate cause specific physical and psychological reactions in the human body.

Chemistry has immense potential to explain and provide understanding about various aspects of human life or anything in this world. From common and ordinary phenomena to unique and strange ones, there are many phenomena that require answers from a chemical perspective. These range from why iron rusts, why propane is efficient as a clean fuel, to explaining why diamonds and graphite, despite having similar chemical compositions, have vastly different appearances. Including examples mentioned above, why can coffee and chocolate bring happiness to their consumers? In this regard, exploratory chemistry studies can provide answers to various questions, thus enhancing our understanding of the many aspects of life and existence in this world.

Further Reading :

1. "Chemistry." Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/science/chemistry. Accessed 30 June 2024.

2. "Chemistry Definition." ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/chemistry.htm. Accessed 30 June 2024.

3. "Endorphins: Effects and how to increase levels." Medical News Today, Healthline Media, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/endorphins-effects-and-how-to-increase-levels. Accessed 30 June 2024.

4. "Hormones." Hormone Health Network, Endocrine Society, https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z. Accessed 30 June 2024.

5. "Chemical Reactions." Khan Academy, Khan Academy, https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry/chemical-reactions-stoichiome. Accessed 30 June 2024.

6. "Iron Rust." Chemistry LibreTexts, LibreTexts, https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Kinetics/Case_Studies_(Kinetics)/Rusting_of_Iron. Accessed 30 June 2024.

 

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Re-write from :

Hidayat, Atep Afia dan M. Kholil. 2018. Kimia dan Pengetahuan Lingkungan Industri. Penerbit WR. Yogyakarta. Bab 1. Kimia dan Perkembangannya : 1.1. Apakah Kimia Itu ?