Chapter 1, Section 1

Chapter 1, Section 1

What Is Chemistry?

In autumn thousands of visitors travel to New England to view vivid colors like those in Figure 1.1. These colors appear as the trees approach the winter months when growth no longer takes place. The bright pigments are produced by a complex chemical process, which depends on changes in temperature and hours of daylight. The color pigments in leaves are an example of matter. Matter is the general term for all the things that can be described as materials, or “stuff.” Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. You don't have to be able to see something for it to qualify as matter. The air you breathe is an example of  “invisible” matter.

Figure 1.1 Chemical changes that occur in leaves can cause brilliant displays of color.

Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Because living and nonliving things are made of matter, chemistry affects all aspects of life and most natural events. Chemistry can explain how some creatures survive deep in the ocean where there is no light, or why some foods taste sweet and some taste bitter. It can even explain why there are different shampoos for dry or oily hair.