What is Chemistry?
An Introduction to Matter, Substances, and How the World Works
Kids talk about science
Hi Mark, is there any chemistry between us?
Hi Sara. Chemistry is everywhere—inside us, and all around us.
Sara: That’s not exactly what I meant, but go on. I love listening to you talk. 😊
Mark: Then listen closely. Chemistry is a wonderful science.
Sara: And what does this wonderful science actually study? I’d love for the object of my admiration to explain the object of his favorite science. 😊
Mark: Chemistry studies matter, so we can say that the main focus of chemistry is matter itself.
Sara: And what exactly is matter?
Mark: Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. There are so many examples that I’m actually struggling to think of something that isn’t made of matter.
Sara: What about love, Mark? Love doesn’t have mass or take up space... although it does feel like butterflies are filling my stomach right now.
Mark: You’re right. Love is an emotion—it’s not matter. But everything around us, including ourselves, is made of matter.
Sara: So you’re saying, for example, that my phone is an object made of different types of matter—like plastic, glass, and metal?
Mark: Exactly. And by the way, there are many types of plastic. I happen to know that your phone is made of a kind of plastic called polycarbonate, and the metal parts are made of aluminum.
Sara: I like how you “just happened” to find out what my phone is made of. 😏
Mark: I love learning everything about science, Sara.
Sara: Love, huh? That sounds kind of romantic, Mark.
Mark: Believe it or not, if we study love scientifically, we’ll end up back in chemistry—there are actual substances behind the feeling of being in love.
Sara: So there is chemistry between us. I knew it! 😍
Key Science Concepts
Let’s sum up what we’ve learned.
- Chemistry
- A natural science that studies matter—what it’s made of, what it’s like, and how it changes.
- Matter
- Anything that has mass and takes up space. Every object around us is made of matter.
Science Fun Facts
The word “chemistry” comes from an old Egyptian word khem that means “black earth.” This was the name for the rich soil near the Nile River. A long time ago, chemistry started as something called alchemy — which was kind of like magic mixed with early science. It’s a bit like what you see in Harry Potter when wizards mix potions and do spells!
Quick Science Quiz
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