What is chemistry?

chemistry n., pl. -tries.

1. the science that systematically studies the
composition, properties, and activity of organic
and inorganic substances and various
elementary forms of matter.
2. chemical properties, reactions, phenomena,
etc.: the chemistry of carbon.
3. a. sympathetic understanding; rapport. b.
sexual attraction.
4. the constituent elements of something; the
chemistry of love. [1560-1600; earlier chymistry].

Chemistry is a science.
There is only one sanctioned procedure for
determining whether a statement about
matter is really chemistry: the exhaustive,
inefficient, but highly successful scientific
method. Chemists often arrive at new
results by nonscientific means (like luck or
sheer creativity), but their work isn't
chemistry unless it can be reproduced and
verified scientifically.

Chemistry is a systematic study.

Chemists have devised several good
methods for solving problems and making
observations. For example, analytical
chemists often use protocols (thoroughly
tested recipes) for determining the
concentrations of substances in a sample.
Chemists use well-defined techniques like
spectroscopy and chromatography to
study new or unknown substances.

Chemistry is the study of the

composition and properties of
matter.
Chemistry answers questions like, "What
kind of stuff is this sample made of? What
does the sample look like on a molecular
scale? How does the structure of the
material determine its properties? How do
the properties of the material change
when I increase temperature, or pressure,
or some other environmental variable?"

Chemistry is the study of the

reactivity of substances.
One material can be changed into another
by a chemical reaction. A complex
substance can by made from simpler
ones. Chemical compounds can break
down into simpler substances. Fuels burn,
food cooks, leaves turn in the fall, cells
grow, medicines cure. Chemistry is
concerned with the essential processes
that make these changes happen.

Chemistry is the study of organic

and inorganic substances
One material can be changed into another
by a chemical reaction. A complex
substance can by made from simpler
ones. Chemical compounds can break
down into simpler substances. Fuels
burn, food cooks, leaves turn in the fall,
cells grow, medicines cure. Chemistry is
concerned with the essential processes
that make these changes happen.

Chemistry is the study of organic

and inorganic substances.
Chemistry is the study of organic
and inorganic substances Chemistry
is the study of connections between
the everyday world and the
molecular world.
Chemists use atoms and molecules to explain properties
and behaviors of matter. For example, you can find
molecular explanations for flavor and color changes
elsewhere on this site.