Chemistry

Definition

Chemistry is the scientific study of matter, its properties, and how it interacts with energy. It explores the composition, structure, and changes that substances undergo during chemical reactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Matter is defined as anything that has mass and occupies space.
2. Atoms are the basic units of matter and the defining structure of elements.
3. A chemical reaction involves the transformation of reactants into products through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
4. The periodic table organizes elements based on atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties.
5. Chemical compounds are formed when two or more different types of atoms bond together in fixed proportions.

Review Questions

• What is the definition of chemistry?
• How does a chemical reaction differ from a physical change?
• What information can be found in the periodic table about an element?

Related terms

Atom: The smallest unit of an element that retains its identity in a chemical reaction.

Element: A pure substance consisting only of atoms that have the same number of protons in their atomic nuclei.

Molecule: A group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.