INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

A branch of chemistry which deals with the study of elements in the periodic table and their compounds, their physical and chemical properties is called inorganic chemistry. Inorganic chemistry deals with all topics except a part of carbon chemistry, which is dealt with under organic chemistry. Inorganic compounds are generally those that are not biological, and characterized by not containing any hydrogen and carbon bonds.

The term "organic" has traditionally referred only to animal or plant matter, so there is a common misconception that organic chemistry always refers to life processes, or that inorganic chemistry applies to everything that does not. This assumption is inaccurate. Many chemical processes veer away from this line of thinking, and there are many chemical life processes that depend on inorganic chemical processes.

There are exceptions to every rule. Although carbon is the main common element in organic chemistry, inorganic chemical compounds can contain carbon, too. For example, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide both contain carbon, but are inorganic compounds. Carbon dioxide, in particular, is also very important to chemical processes necessary for life, especially plant life. The truth is that the lines between inorganic and organic chemistry are often blurred.

Inorganic chemistry deals with the following topics:

Atomic Structure

The history of atomic structure is studied under inorganic chemistry. Though atomic structure is studied under physical chemistry too, in inorganic chemistry, the structure of atom, atomic mass, number, electronic configuration, etc., are learned.

Study of Periodic Table

Inorganic chemistry in periodic table exclusively deals with the aspects of the periodic table like arrangement of elements, the concept of periods and groups, how properties of elements differ with their position in the periodic table, periodic properties of elements in a particular period and group etc. Periodic table is the most important tool box for chemists. It helps us to bring an order into inorganic chemistry. Periodic table is considered as center of study of inorganic chemistry. It systematizes and rationalizes the chemical facts and helps in predicting new ones. It suggests fruitful areas for further research.

Study of Individual Group Elements and Block Elements

Each group contains some elements whose properties are similar to each other. Similarly, each block contains elements which have similar electronic configuration. All these things are studied under inorganic chemistry, as separate topics. The blocks s, p, d and f are usually studied separately and then the groups under these blocks, the elements in them, etc are studied separately.

Ores and Alloys

When studying the individual groups, usually, the ores from which the group elements are extracted, alloys (combination of two or more metals) formed from these elements etc are studied under inorganic chemistry.

Chemical Bonding

Since elements exhibit different types of chemical bonding to form a compound, elements are studied under inorganic chemistry; the chemical bonding is also a very important topic studied under inorganic chemistry. Though some part of chemical bonding is also studied under physical chemistry, main idea about it and the reason behind an element forming a particular bond is obtained from inorganic chemistry.