Back To Course
Ohio Assessments for Educators - Integrated Science (024): Practice & Study Guide28 chapters | 316 lessons | 1 flashcard set
Overview of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Instructor:
Laura Foist
Laura has a Masters of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition and has taught college Science.
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is an important organization within the chemistry world. In this lesson we will go over what this organization does and why it is important.
What is IUPAC?
In chemistry we often refer to the 'IUPAC name'. But what is this name? How was it decided that this name is the 'official' name? What is the IUPAC?
IUPAC stands for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. It is an international organization which sets specific standards in chemistry in order to maintain consistency from one chemist to another. This allows chemists to talk to each other and always understand exactly what the other chemist is talking about.
History of IUPAC
In the 1800s the study of chemistry, as it is known today, began. But as scientists shared their discoveries with one another, it was difficult to know exactly what each scientist was talking about. Scientific journals had no specific method for talking about chemicals, nor did they have methodologies for testing chemicals.
In 1911 the IUPAC's predecessor, the International Association of Chemical Societies, discussed what needed to be standardized within the field of chemistry. In 1919 the IUPAC was organized as a chemistry standardization organization. It was also set up as a group through which chemists could collaborate in order to further chemical knowledge.
One of the main accomplishments of IUPAC was standardizing chemical language, processes, and procedures. They also encourage scientific research by receiving and reviewing chemistry proposals, support and backing those accepted.
Responsibilities of IUPAC
When IUPAC was first organized there was a list of issues that needed to be addressed:
- Nomenclature, naming compounds
- Standardizing weights and constants
- Establishing proper review and publication of scientific papers
 |
Today IUPAC has met all of these goals. We have a standardized weight for each of the elements, a specific number for Avogadro's number, and many other standards based on the work of IUPAC. There is a name for each molecule that any chemist can use to determine the structure of the molecule, based simply on the name.
Nomenclature
Nomenclature isn't the only thing that IUPAC has developed, but it is one of the most well-known purposes of IUPAC. When we say 'the IUPAC name of this chemical is…' we are referring to the name of the chemical based on IUPAC naming guidelines. Nomenclature refers to the systematic naming guidelines of a compound.
 |
These rules include determining the parent chain, the order in which to name substituents, and what name each substituent receives. Many compounds have common names; for example, vinegar is also called acetic acid. Neither one of these names tell us much about the structure of the compound. But the IUPAC name, ethanoic acid, tells us exactly what the chemical structure of the compound is. The 'ethan' tells us that the compound has a 2 carbon chain, and 'oic acid' tells us that the chain starts with a carboxylic acid group. So we know that the chemical formula is: CH3 COOH. As long as we understand the IUPAC nomenclature, we can also determine the compound's structure.
Lesson Summary
IUPAC, or the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, is the organization which standardizes naming, measurements, constants, and scientific research within the chemistry world. It started in 1919 based upon a set of requirements determined by its precursor, the International Association of Chemical Societies.
One of the things that IUPAC is most known for is nomenclature, or systematic naming of chemical compounds. The IUPAC nomenclature allows chemists to know the structure of a compound based simply on its name.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackEarning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 160 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 2,000 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Transferring credit to the school of your choice
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
You are viewing lesson
Lesson
1 in chapter 8 of the course:
- Overview of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
-
8:09
Next Lesson
Acids and Bases
- Coordination Chemistry: Bonding in Coordinated Compounds 11:05
- Precipitation Reactions: Predicting Precipitates and Net Ionic Equations 5:55
- Assigning Oxidation Numbers to Elements in a Chemical Formula 6:50
- Neutralization and Acid-Base Reactions 5:43
- Redox (Oxidation-Reduction) Reactions: Definitions and Examples 7:14
- Balancing Redox Reactions and Identifying Oxidizing and Reducing Agents 6:38
- Basic Properties of Chemical Reactions 8:23
- Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions 5:11
- Avogadro's Number: Using the Mole to Count Atoms 9:15
- Mole-to-Mole Ratios and Calculations of a Chemical Equation 10:13
- Stoichiometry: Calculating Relative Quantities in a Gas or Solution 11:07
- Mass-to-Mass Stoichiometric Calculations 7:04
- Rate of a Chemical Reaction: Modifying Factors 8:44
- Equilibrium: Chemical and Dynamic 6:31
- Go to OAE - Integrated Science: Chemical Changes in Matter
Overview of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Related Study Materials
- DSST Information Guide
- GACE Early Childhood Special Education General Curriculum: Practice & Study Guide
- TExMAT Master Mathematics Teacher EC-4 (087): Study Guide & Practice
- ILTS Gifted Education: Practice & Study Guide
- Academic Writing Essentials
- Programming Basics in C++
- C++ Programming Functions
- Required Assignments for Criminal Justice 381
- Studying for Art 103
- Student Grouping Strategies
- CTEL Test Score Information
- CTEL Test Accommodations
- CTEL Test Retake Policy
- CSET Test Day Preparation
- How to Study for the VCLA Test
- Can You Use a Calculator on the CBEST?
- CTEL Registration Information
Latest Courses
- Common Adverbial Clauses & the Subjunctive in Spanish
- Prison Reform: History, Issues & Movement
- Writing a Play: Script Format, Steps & Tips
- How Are ELL Students Identified?
- Helping Employees Identify Personal & Organizational Challenges
- Using Protagonists in Visual Media to Tell a Story
- Encapsulation C++ Programming: Definition & Example
- Program Memory in C++ Programming
- Quiz & Worksheet - Assessing the Cultural Background of ELL Students
- Quiz & Worksheet - Manorialism
- Quiz & Worksheet - Chromic Acid Test Reaction
- Quiz & Worksheet - West Egg in The Great Gatsby
- Quiz & Worksheet - Identifying & Analyzing Text Structure
- Flashcards - Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
- Flashcards - Clinical Assessment in Psychology
Latest Lessons
- AP Psychology Textbook
- Weather and Climate Studies for Teachers: Professional Development
- GACE School Psychology (605): Practice & Study Guide
- NYSTCE Biology (006): Practice and Study Guide
- Physical Science Textbook
- TASC Science: Natural Resources
- NMTA Math: Exponents & Exponential Expressions
- Quiz & Worksheet - Causes of Precipitation
- Quiz & Worksheet - Earth's Rotation & Revolution
- Quiz & Worksheet - American Federation of Teachers Overview
- Quiz & Worksheet - Folate Deficiency & Toxicity Symptoms
- Quiz & Worksheet - Impact of Feasting & Fasting on Cells
Popular Courses
- Stockholders: Definition, Powers, Rights & Activism
- Manipulating Heritable Information
- AP Exam Registration Deadline
- Deciding On Taking the SAT With Essay: Pros & Cons
- Finding Traveling Teacher Jobs
- ELM Test Dates
- Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vietnam War: Learning Objectives & Activities
- New York State (NYS) Common Core Standards
- Magnet Projects for Kids
- Space Experiments for Kids
- ESL Teacher Interview Questions
- California Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program for Professional Development
Popular Lessons
Explore our library of over 70,000 lessons
Browse by subject
