Chemistry has been divided into a number of different branches. They are generally recognised as Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Geochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry.

While they may be positioned a being quite separate there is significant overlap between them and between the other different branches of chemistry.

The following is a basic description of the different branches of chemistry:

Analytical Chemistry
The collection of techniques and methods used to gain an understanding of the chemical composition and structure of materials. Qualitative and quantitative methods are two of the more basic methods used in this discipline. The methods can be used in all the other branches of chemistry.

Biochemistry
The chemistry of life-processes and living organisms.Biochemistry and organic chemistry are closely related.Biochemists focus on the structures of biological molecules and their physical properties.Common biological molecules include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.

Inorganic Chemistry
The study of reactions and properties of compunds which do not contain hydrocarbons - carbon and hydrogen and which are not organic.

Organic Chemistry
The study of compounds consisting primarily of hydrocarbons which provide the primary material of all organic compounds. Hundreds of thousands of carbon-based molecules exist becuase carbon atoms are able to form long branched chains and rings. Because they make up the majority of compounds in living organisms organic compounds are of special importance. They form coal and oil. Some of the most studied organic compounds are those that contain nitrogen. This is because These have importance because they are linked to amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins and life.

Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry deals with the application of physical laws to chemical change and chemical systems.

There are several subcategories of physical chemistry, including chemical kinetics, electrochemistry and thermodynamics. The later is widely studied and deals with the role of energy in chemical reactions. Chemical kinetics is concerned with mechanisms and rates of reactions. Electrochemistry is concerned with the effects of electricity on chemical changes as well of the conversion of chemical to electrical energy and vise versa.

Nuclear Chemistry
The study of the chemical effects of high energy radiation and the behaviour of radio-active isotopes. These are atoms of the same element that vary in the number of neutrons they contain.

Geochemistry
The chemistry ( and physics) of processes taking place in the earth. Examples are the formation of petroleum, the metamophosis of rocks and mineral formation.