Chemistry is the study of how atoms are connected to each other and of how they rearrange their connectivities. The quantitative relationships between the various forms of matter are an important part of the study of chemistry.
Some chemicals are beneficial and some are detrimental to humans.
Most chemicals can be both, depending on the circumstances in which they are used the manner of use, the quantity of use, the environment in which they are used, and so on. To call something a chemical is to say that it has a physical existence. It is not a bad name. Our task in this course is to survey the above-mentioned topics, both qualitatively and quantitatively. For most of you the final goal of this course is to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of life.