Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is a super interesting field that’s all about using chemistry, physics, and math to solve real-world problems. Essentially, chemical engineers use their knowledge of these subjects to design and develop processes and systems that transform raw materials into useful products.

Chemical Engineers

For example, they might work on developing new medicines, improving manufacturing processes for food or consumer goods, or creating new materials for construction or technology. One thing to keep in mind is that chemical engineering can be a lucrative field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for chemical engineers in the United States is around $108,000 per year.

As far as industries go, there are a lot of options for chemical engineers. Some of the most common industries that hire chemical engineers include pharmaceuticals, food and beverage manufacturing, energy and petroleum, and consumer goods. The race for electrification in the automotive industry is also fueling the need for chemical engineers, as companies race to come up with better and cheaper battery chemistries. All in all, chemical engineers can work in just about any industry that involves the transformation of materials.

Chemical Engineer working in the food industry (milk processing machine)

Overall, chemical engineering is a fascinating field that combines science, math, and engineering to solve real-world problems. It’s also a high-paying field with a lot of job opportunities, so if you’re interested in pursuing a career in STEM, chemical engineering is worth considering!

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Chemical Engineering Cheat Sheet

Chemical QuantityDefinitionUnits
PolarityThe distribution of electric charge within a molecule, leading to positive and negative endsN/A
DensityMass per unit volume of a substancekg/m³, g/cm³
MassThe amount of matter in an objectkg, g
VolumeThe amount of space occupied by an objectm³, cm³
MolarityThe concentration of a solute in a solution is expressed as moles of solute per liter of solutionmol/L, M
pHA measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solutionUnitless (0 to 14 scale)
ViscosityA measure of a fluid’s resistance to deformation under stressPa·s or N·s/m² or cP
Molar MassThe mass of a given substance (chemical element or chemical compound) divided by the amount of substance in molesg/mol
SolubilityThe ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent at a particular temperatureg/L, mol/L

Chemical Quantities

TermDefinition
Atomic NumberThe number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
Avogadro’s NumberThe number of molecules (6.023 × 10^23) in one gram-mole of a substance.
Gram Equivalent WeightA. (nonredox reaction) The mass in grams of a substance equivalent to 1 gram-atom of hydrogen, 0.5 gram-atom of oxygen, or 1 gram-ion of the hydroxyl ion. It can be determined by dividing the molecular weight by the number of hydrogen atoms or hydroxyl ions (or their equivalent) supplied or required by the molecule in a given reaction. B. (redox reaction) The molecular weight in grams divided by the change in oxidation state.
Mass NumberThe number of protons plus the number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
Normality (N)(Gram equivalents of solute) / (Liters of solution).
OxidationThe loss of electrons by an atom or group of atoms.
ReductionThe gain of electrons by an atom or group of atoms.
Solubility Product (S.P. or Ksp)For the slightly soluble solid, AaBb, dissolving AaBb (solid) → aA (aq) + bB⁻ (aq), where A is any cation and B⁻ is any anion. S.P. or Ksp = [A]^a [B⁻]^b, a constant at a given temperature.
Inorganic Chemistry – Common Definition

Deep dive into one of the following chemical engineering-related topics:

Chemistry

Electrochemistry

Fluid Dynamics

Material Science

Thermodynamics