ixINTRODUCTION
Facts On File’s Encyclopedia of Chemistryis a reference to understanding
the basic concepts in chemistry and its peripheral disciplines—crystallogra-
phy; analytical, surface, physical, polymer, inorganic, and organic chem-
istry; bio-, geo-, and electrochemistry; and others. Arranged in alphabetical
order, the entries include biographies of individuals who have made major
contributions as well as numerous illustrations and photographs to help in
visualizing technical concepts.
Chemistry is the study of matter—in its many forms—and the way
these forms react with each other. It deals with the smallest of ions that are
used in the human body to process energy, with the inner workings of the
Earth’s core, and even with the faraway study of the chemical composition
of rocks on Mars. Chemistry is a pervasive science, or as an anonymous
writer once wrote, “What in the world isn’tchemistry?”
To understand basic chemistry is to have a healthy understanding of
the complex world around us. It allows us to be amused by knowing that
two of the most dangerous chemicals, sodium and chlorine, when com-
bined, make our food taste good (salt, sodium chloride). It also helps us
realize that combining chemicals released to the atmosphere by human
activities can have serious health effects on us all, or that the wings of a
butterfly may hold the key to a cure for cancer. Chemists today work hard
to solve many of the leading problems in industry, agriculture, science, and
health.
Throughout the pages of this encyclopedia, you will learn the defini-
tions of chemical terms, literally from A to Z, and will read fascinating
biographies of some of the leading chemists of the past and present. The
volume also includes a set of essays by today’s chemists on the role chem-
istry plays in our daily lives, ranging from how chemistry helps solve
crimes to how it provides dyes for our latest fashions.
While this reference book is designed for high school– and college-
level readers, it can also be used by anyone interested in chemistry and
the various subdisciplines or by those who simply want to increase their
scientific vocabulary. The encyclopedia also includes a set of helpful
appendixes with information about Internet Web sites and chemistry-
related software.