Introduction

In this chapter, readers are introduced to some of the fundamental topics that will support and frame the content introduced over the course of this book. First, chemistry itself is defined as the study of matter and change, and a general outline of the chapters – explanatory text, illustrative examples, and in-text problems – is provided. Inclusion and belonging are discussed in the context of chemistry's homogeneous history, which provides an explanation for the current state of the field as well as challenges readers to increase the diversity of chemistry's future. In terms of the future of chemistry, sustainability and green chemistry are introduced as a framework to consider how chemistry has historically not been a sustainable science and how that is and can change. Finally, effective scientists are also effective writers, and the chapter concludes with a section about analytical writing.