Chemistry: Atoms, Bonds, Compounds, and Solutions

Chemistry is the study of the structure and composition of matter, including how it changes. Matter is made up of very small particles called atoms, which are themselves made up of even smaller particles – protons, neutrons, and electrons. It is the negatively-charged electrons, specifically the valence electrons in an atom’s outermost shell, that participate in the formation of chemical bonds.

Operators in process industries should have a basic understanding of chemistry because industrial processes often involve changes to the structure and/or composition of matter. This course covers the structure and composition of matter; the relationships between atoms, bonds, and molecules; the similarities and differences between compounds, mixtures, and solutions; and the definitions of concentration and pH.