Chemical Definition and 1000 Threads

A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. Some references add that chemical substance cannot be separated into its constituent elements by physical separation methods, i.e., without breaking chemical bonds. Chemical substances can be simple substances, chemical compounds, or alloys. Chemical elements may or may not be included in the definition, depending on expert viewpoint.Chemical substances are often called 'pure' to set them apart from mixtures. A common example of a chemical substance is pure water; it has the same properties and the same ratio of hydrogen to oxygen whether it is isolated from a river or made in a laboratory. Other chemical substances commonly encountered in pure form are diamond (carbon), gold, table salt (sodium chloride) and refined sugar (sucrose). However, in practice, no substance is entirely pure, and chemical purity is specified according to the intended use of the chemical.
Chemical substances exist as solids, liquids, gases, or plasma, and may change between these phases of matter with changes in temperature or pressure and time. Chemical substances may be combined or converted to others by means of chemical reactions.
Forms of energy, such as light and heat, are not matter, and are thus not "substances" in this regard.

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  1. L

    Does the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction Lead to a Steady State or Oscillations?

    I'm interested in oscillating chemical reaction, as Belousov-Zhabotinsky one. Does it oscillate "forever" or it relax to a macroscopical stationary state? Ll.
  2. A

    What does (en) mean in a chemical formula/ligands

    Homework Statement What is the coordination number of [Pt(en)3](ClO4)4Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I know the method to solve this one, I just have no idea what (en) is and if it is bidentate or polydentate (I've already tried monodentate and it was incorrect). Even the name of...
  3. E

    Engineering Chemical Engineering Vs. Electrical Engineering

    As you can tell from the title, I am curious to the advantages/disadvantages of majoring in Chemical engineering or Electrical engineering in regards to nanotechnology, as well as other job opportunities if nanotech doesn't fall through(currently a freshman in college). I recently read a thread...
  4. C

    Chemical engineering vs chemistry

    I'm just graduated from university. Now, I want to take graduate studies. But, I'm still confuse to choose major in my master degree. My undergraduate studies is chemistry (natural science), but some person told me that I must take chemical engineering to support my future. I don't understand...
  5. L

    Are there any cool chemical reactions i can do in my own home?

    like mixing household chemicals together to get a cool reaction to help my brother for the science fair? please don't say baking soda and vinegar half the school is doing that for a volcano.
  6. R

    Chemistry The electrical work needed to produce a mole of lead in a chemical reaction

    Homework Statement Consider the charging of a lead-acid batter at atmospheric pressure and room room temperature. 2PbSO4 +2H2O -> Pb + PbO2 + 4H+ + 2SO42- How much electrical work must be provided to produce one mole of lead? The Attempt at a Solution We're given the values of Gibbs...
  7. A

    Chemical equilibrium system and where my ions went

    sorry if this has been asked before, i did a search and couldn't find any results. Explain fully what happens when H^+ is added to a mixture containing BaCrO_4(s) and CrO_4^2^-. The overall equation of ions in this experiment is...
  8. L

    Engineering Chemical Engineering or Chemistry?

    I will be attending college this fall as a freshman, so I'm trying to decide on a major. My first choice of a major was chemistry because I had planned on going to medschool, but now I am also considering majoring in chemical engineering. What are the major differences between the two...
  9. L

    Explaining the Effects of Removing UO2 on a Chemical Equilibrium

    Homework Statement Suppose the reaction system UO2(s) +4HF(g) <-> UF4(g) +2H2O(l) is sealed in a container and allowed to equilibrate at a particular temperature. Explain what happens to the nature of each substance if you: a. remove some UO2 from the system b. remove all UO2 from the...
  10. A

    U of Toronto v/s Waterloo v/s McMaster for chemical engineering

    I am confused in finalising which one is good for me. I know Toronto and waterloo have better reputation name wise than McMaster. But there are pros and cons for each. From what I understood, talking to people, reading various threads: Waterloo has better coop, good reputation, relatively...
  11. J

    What is the chemical formula of pure milk?

    What is the chemical formula of pure milk? What is the chemical reaction taking place when milk combines with salt? thanks in advance.:smile:
  12. S

    Chemical potential-fictitious atoms

    Hello, I am sorry to ask a relatively unrelated question. I need to know if the chemical potential of fictitious atoms like hydrogen used to saturate the dangling bonds is different from the chemical potential of hydrogen in common chemical potential tables. Regards, Sarah
  13. N

    Chemical thermodynamics, heat of formation and heat of atomization

    Homework Statement Sorry if this kind of question is atypical for this forum. I'm trying to understand the physical concepts involved in my chemistry class. My homework is covering lattice enthalpy, and to get the lattice enthalpy of an ionic compound using the Born-Haber Cycle...
  14. C

    Chemical energy in the runner's body

    So I got back a test and one of the questions was the following: A person is running at a constant speed on level ground. Chemical energy in the runner's body is being transformed to other forms of energy: most of the chemical energy is transformed to? a. thermal energy b. potential energy c...
  15. T

    Chemical Potential: Physical Definition and Applications

    Hello Guys, I'm searching for the best physical definition for the "Chemical Potential" as an energy, what I know is that it's a constant set through Lagrange multiplicands which is set to sustain the number of particles. Actually I'm still not convinced with that, it's an energy, and should...
  16. J

    What Is the Chemical Formula of Amino Acid

    what is the chemical formula of amino acid?
  17. J

    Extinguishing Fire with Water - Chemical Reaction

    how water extinguishes fire? i mean..what is the chemical reaction taking place when water combines with fire??
  18. F

    Energy released in chemical reactions

    Why do some chemical reactions release energy, while other chemical reactions absorb energy?
  19. Q

    Is chemical engineering ridiculously hard?

    Is chemical engineering ridiculously hard? If i really enjoy chemistry would chem engineering be a good choice?
  20. N

    Is This the Correct Equation for the Reaction Between Al and KOH?

    Homework Statement The equation for the reaction of Al and KOH solution The Attempt at a Solution Al\rightarrow + KOH\rightarrow Al(OH)+ K I seriously don't know if this is the correct equation to represent the reaction between Al and KOH solution.
  21. L

    Differentiating Acids and Bases Based on Chemical Formulas

    Homework Statement does anyone know how i can differentiate a strong acid from a weak acid and likewise for a strong base and a weak base based on its chemical formula? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  22. N

    How Does a Chemical Clock Relate to Entropy?

    hi please give some me insight into the working of a chemical clock and its relation with entropy i don't really know if this is has anything to do with physics but please do help
  23. A

    How Do You Calculate the Solubility of PbI2 in .300m AlI3?

    Homework Statement Hey all, I'm new here, so hello to all of you. Question: "Calculate the solubility of PbI2 in .300m AlI3 (PbI2 - Ksp = 2.0x10-30)" So I'm not really sure how to do the symbols and such, but that's a try. Now I'm seeing it two ways. One: Right a disassociation equation as...
  24. C

    Engineering Quantum physicist vs Nuclear Physicist vs Chemical Engineer

    I have been planning on dual majoring as a nuclear physicist and also a chemical engineer. I was going to be the chemical engineer until I could get a good job as a nuclear physicist. This changed though when I started learning about quantum mechanics and I realized how much I enjoy it. I like...
  25. C

    Anyone give me some chemical experiments

    4 middle school students,tell me wat i need, and its better is a interesting chemical experiment safty!
  26. A

    Young Chemical Engineers needed for AIChE Focus Group

    Are you interested in earning $100 to share your opinions? We're looking for Chemical Engineers, age 22- 35 to participate in a 1 1/2 hour discussion. We will be hosting focus groups in Houston, Chicago, and Philadelphia, and we need members of AIChE as well as non-members. The...
  27. D

    How to Balance Chemical Equations Involving Hydrogen and Atoms?

    Homework Statement 1. Li + H2O -> 2. K + H2O -> 3. Na + H2O -> 4. Ca + H2O -> 5. Mg + H2O -> 6. Cs + H2O -> 7. H + At -> 8. Na + At ->Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution 1. 2Li + 2H2O -> H2 + 2LiOH 2 & 3: Same for 1. Others I have no idea how to do. I was NOT taught these and she...
  28. A

    Chemical Equilibrium: Calculating K with Ideal Gas Law

    Homework Statement It is a chem equilibrium question, involving the ICE table. The following reaction: S2(g) + 2H2 (g) ←→ 2SH2(g) takes place at high temperatures. If the initial amount of H2 and SH2 is 1.75 g and 1.95 g, respectively, and at equilibrium the amount of S2(g) is found to be...
  29. M

    Energies - chemical and electrical (easy question)

    I have to graph changes in energies. And I have a question - so I have a battery that supplies power to a motor and some sensors. I have to assume it starts with 36000J of energy (chemical energy, right?). Then, pretend a motor uses 22J and shuts off. Now I would have 35978J of chemical left...
  30. L

    Chemical Equilibrium: Observing Changes in Cr2O7- & CrO4- Mixture

    an equilibrium exists between chromate ion and the dichromate ion when potassium chromate is dissolved acid. the net ionic equation describing this reaction is given in the follwering equation: 2 CrO4^2- (aq) + 2 H3O^+ (equilibrium symbol) Cr2O7^2- (aq) + 3 H2O (l) a student studying this...
  31. E

    Is Chemical Energy in Molecules Stored in the Bonds Between Atoms?

    Hi there. Is the chemical energy in melocules stored in the chemical bonds between the atoms?
  32. G

    Understanding the Chemical Process of Copper Sheet

    i m rubbish at chemsitry, so can someone explain this process, especially what the final thing would be? Copper sheet > rinsed in a bath of nitric acid > violently oxidized by dipping into a solution of copper sulphate dissolved in sulfuric and hydrochloric acids i read it in a book...on...
  33. G

    Chemical Engineering Mass Balance with matrix

    Homework Statement Ethane reacts with chlorine to make ethyl chloride and hydrogen chloride, and ethylene reacts with hydrogen chloride to form ethyl chloride. C2h6+ Cl2 > C2H5Cl + HCL C2H4 + HCl > C2H5Cl I post an image of flow chart and rest of description Based on my reading...
  34. D

    How Does the Cleaning Industry Rely on Chemical Reactions?

    I have a project for my chemistry class about industries. Choose one of the industries listed below to research. automobile cleaning clothing manufacture computer construction cosmetic dental farming food preparation food processing fuel law enforcement...
  35. E

    Engineering Bachelors in Chemistry and Masters in Chemical Engineering

    Hello I have a bachelors in chemistry and am planning to do a masters in chemical engineering. I was just wondering what the prospects would be of obtaining an engineering job without the bachelors in engineering? I am in Toronto if that matters. Thanks!
  36. M

    Sealing a chemical Reaction in furnace(Final Beng mechanical Eng. project)

    HELP NEEDED Sealing chemical Reaction in furnace(Beng mech Eng. project) Hello everyone, I had posted a similar thread earlier, got a few responses, but nothing enough to drive me out of my problem, even my project supervisor at Uni of Notts is confused...
  37. Maroc

    Identifying Chemical vs Physical Changes

    Homework Statement How would you know wheather its a chemical change or physical change Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  38. D

    Engineering Exploring Careers in Chemical Engineering: Insights from Industry Professionals

    Hey. I've been trying to find out as much as i can about careers in chemical and process engineering by searching the forums, however it seems that most engineers who post here tend to be mechanical engineers. Are there many people here who are chemical engineers, or who have worked in the...
  39. C

    Chemical composition of the earth - Astronomy/Chem question

    Homework Statement Calculate and tabulate the fractions of the total mass of the Earth which would be accounted for by O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca and Fe under the following hypothese. i) All the elements above are fully oxidized, except that no S is accreted and the Fe is entirely metallic...
  40. J

    Courses What Courses Should a Chemistry Major Take for a Future in Chemical Physics?

    Hi, I am a junior chemistry major. I am interested in studying physical chemistry or possibly chemical physics in grad school. I've got a couple questions: 1) Would a physics course in optics be good to take as an undergrad? I thought it might be helpful to learn about lasers, spectroscopy...
  41. P

    Chemical attack of amorphous carbon

    Hi everyone, i wonder if anyone has an idea how to attack chemically an amorphous carbon film. Is it possible to completely dissociate an amorphous carbon in a chemical solvent? thanks for your help
  42. F

    Potential Energy Surface in chemical reaction computations

    What would happen to a molecule adsorbed on a flat and defect-free potential surface? Would it just stay there? Or would it go somewhere?...I see it very difficult for the reaction to occur as no preferential path is present but this is just an intuition. Does anyone have an opinion/the answer?
  43. S

    Discovering a 12V Light Emitting Chemical: Homework Statement & Equations

    Homework Statement Homework Equations does anyone know if ther is a chemical that glows when a 12 volt charge is applied The Attempt at a Solution
  44. V

    Vapor pressure question in chemical thermodynamics

    Homework Statement Calculate the vapor pressure of iso-propyle alcohol over iso-propyle alcohol in pure liquid state at 298,15K. Homework Equations A possible equation to solve this problem, I think, would be to use this formula put together by two definitions of free energy. \Delta G...
  45. N

    Chemical Potential: Is It Equal to the Energy of Added Particles?

    Homework Statement Hi all. The chemical potential is defined as being the amount of energy one has to remove from a system in order to keep its enotrpy and volume constant when one particle is added to the system. Is this amount of energy the same energy as the energy of the added...
  46. S

    Chemical Resistance of Polyethylene

    I'm just wondering, what gives polyethylene its property chemical resistance? Does it have something to do with the electronegativies between the C-H bonds and most chemicals are unable to break the bonds between C-H, therefore unlikely to take part in a chemical reaction? Thank you Edit: I...
  47. S

    Can you give a couple of examples of chemical energy?

    Can you give a couple of examples of chemical energy?
  48. Y

    Understanding Food as Chemical Energy

    I don't quite get how food is considered chemical energy. Can someone clear this up and explain it to me?
  49. P

    Chemical vs biochemical engineering

    Hey guys I have to choose between chemical and biochemical engineering soon as the two split paths after sophomore year...anyway...I don't really know much of the difference besides the classes. What I mean is...is there usually a large salary difference between the two? Can a biochem eng get...
  50. D

    Chemical Engineering: Career Info & Opportunities

    Hello all, I am currently a physics major and may be looking to switch to some sort of engineering. I have been reading up on chemical engineering and this looks like a very interesting field of study. I was wondering if there were any chem engineers here and how they felt about their field...
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