Part 2. Three Primary Areas of Theoretical Chemistry Chapter 5. An Overview of Theoretical Chemistry In this Chapter, many of the basic concepts and tools of theoretical chemistry are discussed only at an introductory level and without providing much of the background needed to fully comprehend them. Most of these topics are covered again in considerably more detail in Chapters 6-8, which focus on the three primary sub-disciplines of the field. The purpose of the present Chapter is to give you an overview of the field that you will learn the details of in these later Chapters . What is Theoretical Chemistry about The science of chemistry deals with molecules including the radicals, cations, and anions they produce when fragmented or ionized. Chemists study isolated molecules (e.g., as occur in the atmosphere and in astronomical environments), solutions of molecules or ions dissolved in solvents, as well as solid, liquid and plastic materials mprised of molecules. All such forms of molecular matter are what chemistry is about Chemical science includes how to make molecules(synthesis), how to detect and quantitate them(analysis ), how to probe their properties and how they undergo or change as reactions occur(physical)1 Part 2. Three Primary Areas of Theoretical Chemistry Chapter 5. An Overview of Theoretical Chemistry In this Chapter, many of the basic concepts and tools of theoretical chemistry are discussed only at an introductory level and without providing much of the background needed to fully comprehend them. Most of these topics are covered again in considerably more detail in Chapters 6-8, which focus on the three primary sub-disciplines of the field. The purpose of the present Chapter is to give you an overview of the field that you will learn the details of in these later Chapters. I. What is Theoretical Chemistry About? The science of chemistry deals with molecules including the radicals, cations, and anions they produce when fragmented or ionized. Chemists study isolated molecules (e.g., as occur in the atmosphere and in astronomical environments), solutions of molecules or ions dissolved in solvents, as well as solid, liquid, and plastic materials comprised of molecules. All such forms of molecular matter are what chemistry is about. Chemical science includes how to make molecules (synthesis), how to detect and quantitate them (analysis), how to probe their properties and how they undergo or change as reactions occur (physical)