by

Our world is made up of many different kinds of substances that we call chemicals. All matter, including us and everything around us, is made up of tiny particles called atoms. So, what is a chemical? A chemical by definition is any substance consisting of matter; this includes solids, liquids, and gas. Chemicals can either be of a pure substance or a mixture of substances. A chemical substance such as water (H2O) is a pure chemical because it has the same molecules and combination throughout its structure.

Chemical elements and compounds

A chemical substance made up of only one atom is called an element. There are 118 known elements, but only 98 of them are found naturally on Earth. Each of these elements is represented by a chemical symbol and can be found in the periodic table of elements.

The periodic table of chemical elements

A chemical compound is a pure substance that is made up of two elements that are chemically combined. Compounds are chemicals made up of more than one kind of atom. Water is an example of a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen. This means that every particle or molecule of water has hydrogen and oxygen atoms that are bonded together.

Elements and compounds are often found in mixtures. A mixture is a combination of two or more substances where each substance has its own identity. In general, these combinations can be separated into their component substances. An example of a mixture is soil and air.

Artificial chemicals

Humans have been combining chemicals for thousands of years. In the past, humans combined copper and tin to create bronze. This was then crafted into new tools, weapons, and armour.  Bronze is an alloy that has been the staple of construction and trade. As new combinations of elements have been created, we now have materials like stainless steel, lightweight aluminium, and other useful products that we now use today.

Artificial chemical compounds have been useful to many industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, chemical compounds have played a major role in creating various types of medicine. By combining active and inactive chemicals into pills, pharmacists can provide us with treatment for different disorders or illnesses.

Chemicals in our daily lives

MSG - monosodium glutamate - is an example of an artificial chemical

Chemical compounds are found everywhere, from the food we eat to the air we breathe. Artificial chemicals in food help it to remain fresh and preserve its flavour. Some chemical compounds are even used to enhance food textures, making them crunchy, chewy, or smooth. However, not all chemical compounds can be good for us. MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a chemical compound that is added to food to improve the flavour. Using MSG can have negative effects on our health which may cause headaches and other negative reactions.

About the author

Jessica Clifton

Director

Jessica is a Director at ReAgent and leads a variety of growth projects. She has an extensive background in marketing, and has worked in the chemical manufacturing industry since 2019. When she’s not writing articles for ReAgent, Jessica can be found on a run, in her campervan, building LEGO, or watching Star Wars.
View all posts by Jessica Clifton

Disclaimer

All content published on the ReAgent.co.uk blog is for information only. The blog, its authors, and affiliates cannot be held responsible for any accident, injury or damage caused in part or directly from using the information provided. Additionally, we do not recommend using any chemical without reading the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which can be obtained from the manufacturer. You should also follow any safety advice and precautions listed on the product label. If you have health and safety related questions, visit HSE.gov.uk.

You might also be interested in...

  • documentation-chemical-industry_edt||documentation-chemical-industry Chemical Sales: Documentation in the Chemical Industry

    Selling chemicals is a highly regulated activity and it’s not without its risks. We minimise risks by only selling to established businesses, but we still need to provide the appropriate documentation with chemical sales. Some pieces of documentation are a

  • Chemical Mixing What Is The Difference Between Chemical Blending and Chemical Mixing?

    Chemical blending and chemical mixing are two common and similar chemical processes. Both processes involve combining different chemicals to create a new chemical. The chemicals being combined can be of varying states: liquid or powder, organic or inorganic, etc. They

  • What is a chemical reaction||Different types of chemical reactions||Tooth decay is the result of a chemical reaction||An explosion is an example of a fast chemical reaction What is a Chemical Reaction?

    A chemical reaction is distinct from a physical or phase change (e.g. evaporation, which is a change from liquid to gas) because the reaction involves a change in atomic combinations. For instance, the chemical reaction of water with sodium is

  • An image of boiling water. Water is a liquid state at room temperature and boils at 100°C.||An illustration of carbonic acid||Melanoma - a malignant tumor of the skin||Illustration of the four types of chemical bonds - covalent What is a Chemical Compound?

    A chemical compound is a substance containing two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. Chemical bonds are grouped into four main categories: covalent bonds, molecular bonds, ionic bonds, and metallic bonds. Other types of bonds exist, but