Broadly speaking, there are five types of chemical reactions:  Combination Decomposition Combustion Single replacement  Double replacement  Understanding these different categories can help predict the likely outcome of particular chemical reactions. Chemical reactions take place all around us. The most frequent types of chemical reactions are those that take place inside the cells of living organisms. In the human body, for instance, there are about 37 trillion cells. In each cell, around a billion biochemical reactions occur per second. That means around 37 billion trillion ..read more

An element in chemistry refers to the simplest chemical form in which a substance can exist. Put simply, it means it can’t be further broken down or decomposed into simpler chemical substances. Knowing how many protons (the atomic number) are in each element makes it possible for scientists to organise elements in a periodic table. The arrangement of the periodic table reveals certain patterns based on elements’ properties, which enables us to reasonably predict or model various chemical reactions and configurations. Read on to learn more about the different types of elements in chemistry and ..read more

There are plenty of chemistry books on the market, but the best ones can be hard to find. Unfortunately, many school board-approved textbooks often lack inspiration and, to put it bluntly, are about as bland as it gets!  To help separate the good from the, well, not-so-good, we’ve compiled a list of the top 13 must-read chemistry books. Whether you’re studying chemistry A-level or simply want to further your knowledge on the subject, continue reading for our pick of the best chemistry books. Best books for learning chemistry Any good chemistry book must have at least two important charact ..read more

The chemistry of happiness is directly related to chemical neurotransmitters in the brain, which are responsible for regulating our mood and cognitive functions. As we explore in this article, the four key ‘happy chemicals’ are dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. What is happiness scientifically? There are many factors that can influence happiness, but the chemical reactions and electrical activities in our brain play a major role. How chemical neurotransmitters interact with the basal ganglia and cerebellum of the brain affects our mood, emotions, and overall feeling of happiness ..read more

Neutralisation in chemistry is when an acid and a base react to form salt and water, which typically have a neutral pH.  Neutralisation reactions can be classified into several types depending on the respective strengths of the reactants. They may also be grouped according to the Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry definitions of acids and bases. As we explain in this article, acid-base reactions have important applications in industries such as environmental protection, agriculture, and medicine. Read on to find out more about neutralisation reactions and how they work. What is a neutralisation ..read more

The chemistry of colour covers the way in which different frequencies and wavelengths of visible light are absorbed or reflected by molecules known as pigments. These pigments have specific compositions and configurations that correspond to their respective colours.  From the varying colours of autumn leaves to the dyes used in the clothing industry, our world is full of rich and diverse colours. But exactly how are these colours formed, and why? Read on to learn more about the chemistry and science of colour. The science of colours In simple terms, a substance can either be colourless or ..read more

To balance a chemical equation in chemistry, you must follow the law of conservation of mass, which stipulates that the total molar mass of the reactants must be equal to the total molar mass of the products. This is done by writing numerical coefficients to indicate how many moles of each substance are present during a chemical reaction. It’s important to note that you can only use whole numbers when balancing equations in chemistry. A balanced chemical equation that has whole numbers as coefficients serves as the standard for calculating the proportion of the same substances with variable am ..read more

In chemistry, a salt is an ionic compound that’s typically in crystalline solid form when dry. As salts are often the product of a neutralisation reaction between an acid and a base, they generally have a neutral pH. The most common type of salt on Earth exists as a dissolved substance in our oceans. Salts, particularly table salt or sodium chloride, also exist as dry solid minerals that can be extracted from underground salt mines.  Many of us consume salt on an almost daily basis, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Table salt, for example, is often added to food either as a prese ..read more

The chemistry of addiction is centred in the brain and the way it produces certain chemical interactions. In particular, dopamine is responsible for the feeling of pleasure. Our brain is like a chemical manufacturer that produces various types of neurotransmitters and hormones. Some of the most important ones have a direct effect on the brain itself, acting as mood modulators, painkillers, and sleep cycle regulators. Collectively, the four most important neurochemicals are called the ‘happiness hormones’. These chemicals each play a role in the chemistry of addiction. As we explain in this art ..read more

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that do not chemically react. As we explain later on, mixtures can either be heterogeneous or homogeneous. Mixtures are defined based on how the constituents are combined. They could be a combination of various states of matter, for example, air dissolved in water, or a combination of solids such as the mixture of cement, sand, and aggregate.  The proportion of the constituents often determines the type and physical properties of a mixture. In other cases, however, the proportion is not very important, and it may only be incidental. Mix ..read more