Chemistry is the study of the transformations that occur in elements, compounds, and other substances. Chemists seek to explain why things happen and to develop logical, understandable explanations of the properties and behaviors of substances.
There are three main types of chemistry: organic, inorganic, and analytical. They divide into sub-branches, and each has its own specific areas of investigation.
Inorganic chemistry, sometimes called metallurgy or chemical engineering, deals with the creation of materials that are based on non-carbon elements and ions. This can include everything from minerals to transition metals. It can also include compounds that contain at least one bond between a carbon atom and a metal or metalloid (commonly called organometallic).
Inorganic compounds are the most important part of life on earth. They are used in many industries and are found naturally in the environment. They are responsible for the manufacturing of semiconductors, pigments, coatings, surfactants, fuels, medicines, and chemicals.
Some inorganic compounds are simple, while others are complex. For example, salt (sodium chloride) is a simple inorganic compound consisting of just two atoms: sodium and chlorine. Inorganic chemists study these basic inorganic compounds to learn about their properties and reactions.
The field of inorganic chemistry is vast and extremely diverse. It includes everything from molecules containing metals to the most exotic of compounds based on elements that don't appear on the periodic table.
There are several ways to distinguish between inorganic and organic chemistry, including the presence or absence of oxygen. Oxygen is usually present in an inorganic compound, but not always. It is possible to make some inorganic compounds without using oxygen.
Inorganic chemists are interested in the properties of substances at the molecular level, and they study these characteristics using different methods and techniques. They may focus on the atomic structure of a substance, its properties, and reactions, or they may look at the effects of different types of conditions on the molecules that are present.
A chemist who studies inorganic compounds often works at a university or a research laboratory. They may specialize in a specific area, such as polymers, semiconductors, or catalysts. Or they may work in a broad field that covers all aspects of inorganic chemistry, such as halogens or metals.
They use a variety of tools and techniques to study inorganic molecules, such as electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, molecular magnetic resonance (MR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray crystallography. They are also able to explore the structures and properties of these molecules with light and electron microscopes, and they study them in relation to their symmetry.
In addition, they often focus on the relationships between physical properties and functions and on the ways in which these properties can be used to make useful products. They are able to apply their knowledge of inorganic chemistry to help develop new materials and to design better and more efficient methods for making them.
Some inorganic chemists work at government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They may work on the development of chemicals that can be used to protect soil and water, or they may work on the design of new drugs.
Other inorganic chemists work at the forefront of technology, developing and testing new materials and devices. They work on the design and testing of microchips, batteries, catalysts, pigments, paints, and many other types of materials.