Page 60 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Chemistry SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Atoms p.34
▸ ▸ Body cells p.41
Chemistry is a science that looks at the smallest ingredients ▸ ▸ Elements p.90
of everything, called elements. It studies how elements ▸ ▸ Engineering p.91
react when we mix them together, and how tiny particles ▸ ▸ Changing states

in materials are arranged and can be rearranged. p.57
▸ ▸ Materials p.157
Particles called
electrons move
around the outside.
Building blocks
Everything around us is made 1. Atoms
from tiny parts called atoms. Atoms are so small we can’t see them
Atoms join to each other and and they’re mostly empty space.
other types of atoms to They have even smaller particles
inside. The type of atom depends
make arrangements called on the number of particles inside it.
molecules. These basic
building blocks are what
chemistry investigates.

An atom is mostly
empty space. If an atom
was the size of a Gold
football stadium, The center is
the nucleus would be called the nucleus. 2. Elements Antimony
It contains particles
the size of a marble. called protons Materials that that have
and neutrons. only one type of atom Plutonium
are known as elements.
Elements have just one
ingredient—themselves.
Antimony, plutonium,
and gold are all elements.
Chemical reaction
When two or more elements come
together to make a new compound, it
is called a chemical reaction. Reactions
can fizz, burn, or even explode when
new compounds are made.

3. Compounds
Elements that have
joined together are
called compounds.
For example, water
is a compound made
from the elements
oxygen and hydrogen.
Iron and oxygen react
to form rust. Oxygen and hydrogen combined
make the compound water.

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