Question

This section presents several ways our day-to-day lives have been enriched by chemistry. List three materials or processes involving chemistry that you feel have contributed to such an enrichment, and explain your choices.

Short answer

Water purification, plastic production, and pharmaceuticals are three materials or processes involving chemistry that have contributed to the enrichment of our day-to-day lives. Water purification ensures access to clean and safe drinking water through processes like chlorination. Plastic production, through polymerization, enables the creation of versatile materials for products and packaging in various industries. Lastly, pharmaceuticals are developed using chemistry principles to manage, treat, and prevent health conditions, thus enhancing our quality of life and overall health.

Step-by-step solution

1. Water Purification

Water purification is an important process that uses chemistry to make sure water is safe for consumption. During this process, water from natural sources is treated to remove contaminants, bacteria, and harmful chemicals. One of the main techniques employed is chlorination, which uses chlorine to disinfect water. Without water purification, access to clean and safe drinking water would be restricted, leading to various health issues with devastating consequences. #Step 2: Select Material/Process 2#

2. Plastic Production

Plastics are versatile, lightweight, and durable materials that have become ubiquitous in today's world. They are produced through a chemical process known as polymerization, in which small monomer molecules are combined to form long chains called polymers. The wide variety of plastics available has allowed us to create innovative products and packaging materials for various industries, including medicine, transportation, and construction, ultimately contributing to the overall enrichment of our lives. #Step 3: Select Material/Process 3#

3. Pharmaceuticals

The development of pharmaceuticals involves chemistry in the process of creating, developing, and optimizing drug compounds to treat various diseases and ailments. For example, the process of designing and synthesizing therapeutics uses organic chemistry principles and specific chemical reactions to ensure safety and effectiveness. Through the use of pharmaceuticals, we have been able to manage, treat, and prevent numerous health conditions, enhancing our quality of life and improving overall human health.