A chemist is a philosopher who studies substances both natural and artificial and works out how they can be of use be it good or bad to society. A chemist works out chemical facts by experimenting and repetition of experiments. Although the conclusions may not necessary be correct, they may be used as the basis for further work until a better explanation arises. In some cases, the fact may be incomplete and yet useful enough in approximation. Chemists think about these facts as part of a lager picture, and try to reconcile different facts and make useful patterns out of them.
Chemistry is definitely all around us. From the building materials to the medicine we take, chemistry plays an essential role. For example your building materials, chemical reactions are used to produce stronger more durable materials. The onus on a chemist is heavy and the play a vital role in the advancement of the sciences today. For example, during the green revolution, it was chemical fertilizers that played a major part of feeding the worlds booming population. Perhaps another example would be when you wash your clothes. Has it occur to you that chemistry is involved in the making of bleach or fabric softener? These substances are added to the water to kill germs and keep it safe for us.
One great chemist would be none other than Fritz Häber who was awarded a nobel prize for his great contributions to chemistry. Häber synthesized ammonia and hence bulk chemical fertilizers, dyes and explosives. He was also the “mastermind” who invented processes which have been used to drive all the wars of the last century but yet have been important to the development of modern society.
The discoveries made by chemists are fundamental to the products and technologies that are part of a modern society. Management of impact of modern society on the environment is the driving force behind new developments in disciplines such as physics, geology, materials sciences, biochemistry, medical sciences and astronomy.
Basically, a chemist is a scientist who works out “chemical facts” by experimentation and repetition of experiment. The mind of a chemist is responsible, taking into account any ethical impact on society it may cause. The mind of a chemist is evolving, always challenging past theories, advancing upon old ideas, and discovering new facts.
