1) What is Chemistry?

• Chemistry is the science of understanding properties and behavior of matter by studying the properties and behavior of atoms and molecules.
• Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
• A property is any characteristic that allows us to recognize certain types of matter and to distinguish if from other types of matter.
• Elements are the basic structures that combine to form all matter.
• Atoms are the smallest building blocks of matter.
• Each element is composed of a unique kind of atom.
• Properties of matter are dependent on its composition and structure.
• Composition refers to the types of atoms, and structure refers to the arrangement of atoms.
• Molecules form when two or more atoms combine to form specific shapes.
• Differences, minor of major, in composition and structure of molecules can have profound differences in their properties.
• The study of chemistry is divided into macroscopic and submicroscopic.
• Macroscopic refers to ordinary sized objects, and submicroscopic refers to atoms and molecules.