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.
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.
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 Quantity | Definition | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Polarity | The distribution of electric charge within a molecule, leading to positive and negative ends | N/A |
| Density | Mass per unit volume of a substance | kg/m³, g/cm³ |
| Mass | The amount of matter in an object | kg, g |
| Volume | The amount of space occupied by an object | m³, cm³ |
| Molarity | The concentration of a solute in a solution is expressed as moles of solute per liter of solution | mol/L, M |
| pH | A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution | Unitless (0 to 14 scale) |
| Viscosity | A measure of a fluid’s resistance to deformation under stress | Pa·s or N·s/m² or cP |
| Molar Mass | The mass of a given substance (chemical element or chemical compound) divided by the amount of substance in moles | g/mol |
| Solubility | The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent at a particular temperature | g/L, mol/L |
Chemical Quantities
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. |
| Avogadro’s Number | The number of molecules (6.023 × 10^23) in one gram-mole of a substance. |
| Gram Equivalent Weight | A. (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 Number | The number of protons plus the number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. |
| Normality (N) | (Gram equivalents of solute) / (Liters of solution). |
| Oxidation | The loss of electrons by an atom or group of atoms. |
| Reduction | The 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. |
Deep dive into one of the following chemical engineering-related topics:
Chemistry
- Energy vs Power
- Common Engineering Materials
- Surface Tension of Liquids
- Specific Gravity, Density and Viscosity of Liquids
- Synthesis of a Copper Coordination Compound & Solubility
- Polarity
- Kinetics
- Colligative Properties
- Buffer
- What is metal vs metal alloy?
Fluid Dynamics
- Understanding Car Wind Noise
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Energy Storage Explained
- Automotive Aerodynamics 101
- Design of Fluid-Thermal Systems (leaf blower)
- The Relief Valve
- Drag Forces on Wing Platform
- Drag Forces Acting on Objects in a Wind Tunnel
- Performance Characteristics of a Centrifugal Pump
- Impact of a Liquid Jet
Material Science
- How to Test Mechanical Properties: Methods and Techniques
- Understanding Combined Axial Loading and Bending: How They Impact Structural Design
- Exploring the Advantages and Challenges of Carbon Fiber in Cars
- Solidification of Metal
- Metalworking Basics Explained
- Common Engineering Materials
- Why are cars so heavy?
- How temperature affects material energy absorption and hardness.
- What metals are used in a car?
- Determining Material based on Mechanical Properties