Short Answer
Pure chemistry is the study of chemical knowledge for the purpose of understanding basic principles, theories, and facts about matter. It focuses on discovering how substances behave, how reactions occur, and why chemicals have specific properties. Pure chemistry aims to gain scientific knowledge without thinking about its practical use.
Applied chemistry uses the knowledge gained from pure chemistry to solve real-life problems and create useful products. It focuses on practical applications such as making medicines, fertilizers, plastics, fuels, and industrial materials. Applied chemistry helps in improving health, agriculture, industry, and daily life through chemical technologies.
Detailed Explanation :
Pure Chemistry and Applied Chemistry
Chemistry is the science that studies matter and the changes it undergoes. To make its study clearer and more organised, chemistry is divided into many areas. Two important areas are pure chemistry and applied chemistry. Both are closely related but serve different purposes. Pure chemistry focuses on understanding the basic principles of chemical science, while applied chemistry uses this knowledge to create useful products and solve practical problems.
Although the goals of these two areas are different, they depend on each other. Pure chemistry provides the foundation, and applied chemistry uses that foundation to bring improvements to human life. Understanding the difference between them helps us appreciate how scientific knowledge moves from laboratories to real-world applications.
Pure Chemistry
Pure chemistry is the study of chemistry for the sake of gaining knowledge. It is concerned with understanding the nature, composition, and behaviour of substances without worrying about how this knowledge will be used. Scientists working in pure chemistry try to answer questions like:
- What is the structure of an atom?
- How do elements bond together?
- What are the properties of new compounds?
- Why do chemical reactions happen?
The main aim of pure chemistry is to discover scientific truths. For example, studying the structure of molecules, understanding reaction mechanisms, learning periodic trends, and exploring chemical theories are all part of pure chemistry. Researchers in this field work in laboratories to understand the fundamental principles of chemistry. Their discoveries often become the base for future inventions and applications.
Pure chemistry includes topics such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry. Even though it has no immediate practical goal, it is extremely important because all applied sciences depend on the theories developed through pure chemistry.
Applied Chemistry
Applied chemistry uses chemical knowledge to develop products, technologies, and solutions that benefit society. It focuses on using scientific principles for practical purposes. Applied chemistry answers questions like:
- How can we make better medicines?
- How can we produce fertilizers that increase crop yield?
- How can plastics be made stronger or biodegradable?
- How can we purify polluted water?
The main aim of applied chemistry is to solve problems and meet human needs. It is used in industries, agriculture, medicine, environmental protection, and technology. For example, producing detergents, plastics, paints, fuels, and cosmetics involves applied chemistry. Creating eco-friendly materials, developing smart drugs, improving batteries, and designing food preservatives are also part of applied chemistry.
Applied chemistry includes fields such as pharmaceutical chemistry, industrial chemistry, environmental chemistry, polymer chemistry, and agricultural chemistry. It uses the theories discovered by pure chemistry and applies them to real-life situations.
Relationship Between Pure and Applied Chemistry
Pure and applied chemistry are different but closely connected. Pure chemistry provides the theories, laws, and principles that explain how substances behave. Applied chemistry uses this knowledge to create useful materials and technologies.
For example:
- The study of atomic structure (pure) led to the development of electronics and semiconductors (applied).
- Understanding chemical bonding (pure) helped create plastics and synthetic fibres (applied).
- Studying reaction mechanisms (pure) allowed scientists to design life-saving medicines (applied).
Thus, applied chemistry is successful only because pure chemistry provides the base. Similarly, pure chemistry grows when applied chemistry raises new questions that require deeper research.
Key Idea
The main difference is that pure chemistry aims to gain knowledge, while applied chemistry aims to use knowledge. Pure chemistry focuses on theories, and applied chemistry focuses on applications. Both are essential for scientific progress and for improving human life through chemical advancements.
Conclusion
Pure chemistry and applied chemistry serve different but interconnected purposes. Pure chemistry seeks to understand the basic principles and theories of chemical science, while applied chemistry uses this understanding to develop useful materials, medicines, and technologies. Pure chemistry builds the foundation, and applied chemistry brings practical benefits to society. Together, they help us understand the world better and improve the quality of life.