Chemistry in everyday life is much more than a textbook and bunsen burner.

Although you might not have gotten good grades in chemistry class in high school, you probably still remember some of the basics. Of course some things in chemistry class are more memorable than others. You basically were exposed to what to combine and what not to combine to get certain chemical reactions. Obviously the combination of vinegar and baking soda causes mounds of bubbling. You'll remember the day you were first exposed to the smell of sulfur. And of course the effect of helium is popular at many parties.

Chemistry is all around us every day. It basically rules our lives.

Any housewife who cooks on a regular basis is a chemist. knowing how to combine the chemicals in food to result in a positive outcome is an art. Baking is all about chemical reactions. Whether your baked goods turn out or not depends how well the chemicals combine. Knowing that sugar caramelizes when heated can help baked goods look appetizing and add a crunch and gooiness.

We know the basic components of air and water, and other chemically produced products such as salt, hydrochloric acid, and sugar. Most likely you can remember some of the abbreviations for the elements on the periodic table, and these can help you sometimes with a crossword puzzle and trying to decipher complex chemical names.

How chemicals react positively with each other can help you with simple everyday tasks. Knowing the negative reactions of chemicals can save your life. Negative chemical reactions can cause harmful conditions such as explosions, burns and harmful vapors.

Knowing how to neutralize offensive odors is as simple as combining the correct chemicals. Many odor neutralizing products on the market are simple combinations of basic chemicals.

Medications are not much more than effective chemical combinations to combat germs. Many ointments and creams, as well as antiseptic liquids contains chemicals.

Many of our soaps, detergents, and dishwashing liquids are chemical combinations.

Different effects of lighting are due to the gas that is used to create the vapor. The purplish tint of some streetlights is due to the mercury vapor used in them.

Our toiletries are loaded with chemicals. Every time you use a depilatory to remove hair, you are working with a chemical reaction.

Chemical reactions can cause energy. This is what causes some fuel motors to work.

New fabrics such as nylon and dacron are composed completely of chemicals.

Plastic and glass containers are results of chemical reactions.

Chemicals are used to enhance and preserve foods. Many foods themselves as such as cool whip isn't much more than a bunch of chemicals.

Chemistry is an important part of our lives and these are just some of the ways we are influenced by it everyday.