Chemistry
Chemistry on the FE covers reactions, acids and bases, and oxidation-reduction, which underpin corrosion control, water treatment, and materials behavior.
Acids, Bases, and pH
pH = -log10[H+] measures acidity. A strong acid such as HCl fully dissociates, so a 0.001 M solution has [H+] = 10^-3 and pH = 3. Buffers resist pH change; neutralization pairs acids with bases.
Oxidation and Reduction
Oxidation states are bookkeeping for electron transfer; in H2SO4, sulfur is +6 because H is +1 and O is -2 and the molecule is neutral. Redox reactions drive corrosion and its control through galvanic protection.
Reactions and Stoichiometry
Balanced equations conserve mass and charge, letting you compute reactant and product quantities. Chemical equilibrium describes the balance point of reversible reactions, shifted by concentration, temperature, and pressure.