Final answer:
Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry focusing on elements and compounds other than carbon-based ones, encompassing minerals, metals, and a wide array of substances used in various industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branch of chemistry that studies all other elements except carbon-based materials is known as inorganic chemistry. This field is vast because it encompasses the study of all elements in the periodic table other than carbon, which is the central element of organic chemistry. Inorganic chemistry deals with a wide array of substances including minerals, metals, and non-metal compounds, and plays a crucial role in various industries such as materials science, catalysis, and mineralogy.
Understanding inorganic chemistry is essential as it explains the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds, which have applications ranging from construction materials to electronic devices. The reason for the distinction between organic and inorganic chemistry becomes clear when we consider the sheer number of carbon-containing compounds that exist, totaling in the millions, which justifies a dedicated branch of study for carbon compounds.