Chemical reactionProcess that leads to chemical changesA thermite reaction using iron(III) oxide. The sparks flying outwards are globules of molten iron trailing smoke in their wake.A chemical reaction is a process that leads to the chemical transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. When chemical reactions occur, the atoms are rearranged and the reaction is accompanied by an energy change as new products are generated.
ChemistryScientific study of matter's behavior and propertiesImages relating to the six main branches of chemistry, clockwise from the upper left : a BeF₂ glass network (inorganic chemistry), a caffeine molecule (organic chemistry), a reaction coordinate diagram (physical chemistry), a proton NMR spectrum (analytical chemistry), the RGS4 protein (biochemistry), and a glowstick using chemiluminescence (applied chemistry).Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter.
PollutantSubstance or energy damaging to the environment Surface runoff, also called nonpoint source pollution, from a farm field in Iowa, the United States during a rainstorm. Topsoil, as well as farm fertilizers and other potential pollutants, runoff unprotected farm fields when heavy rains occur.
PoisonIn science, a poison is any chemical substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism. The term of poison is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broad sense. The symptoms and effects of poisoning in humans can mimic those of other medical conditions and vary depending on the type of poison and the system of the body affected.
ToxinA toxin is a naturally occurring poison produced by metabolic activities of living cells or organisms. They occur especially as proteins, often conjugated. The term was first used by organic chemist Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919), derived from toxic. Toxins can be small molecules, peptides, or proteins that are capable of causing disease on contact with or absorption by body tissues interacting with biological macromolecules such as enzymes or cellular receptors.
Chemical impurityIn chemistry and materials science, impurities are chemical substances inside a confined amount of liquid, gas, or solid. They differ from the chemical composition of the material or compound. Firstly, a pure chemical should appear in at least one chemical phase and can also be characterized by its phase diagram. Secondly, a pure chemical should prove to be homogeneous (i.e., a uniform substance that has the same composition throughout the material).
SolidSolid is a state of matter in which atoms are closely packed and are difficult to move past each other. Solids resist compression, expansion, or external forces that would alter its shape, with the degree of resistance being dependent upon the specific material under consideration.
MoleculeA molecule is a group of two or more atoms that are held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions that satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, the distinction from ions is dropped and molecule is often used when referring to polyatomic ions.
Natural environmentLand management has preserved the natural characteristics of Hopetoun Falls, Australia while allowing ample access for visitors.An image of the Sahara Desert from satellite. It is the world's largest hot desert and third-largest desert after the polar deserts.The natural environment or natural world encompasses all biotic and abiotic things occurring naturally, meaning in this case not artificial. The term is most often applied to Earth or some parts of Earth.
CatalysisCatalysis (, ) is the increase in rate of a chemical reaction due to an added substance known as a catalyst ( ). Catalysts are not consumed by the reaction and remain unchanged after the reaction. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst is recycled quickly, a very small amount of catalyst often suffices; mixing, surface area, and temperature are important factors in reaction rate.
ReagentIn chemistry, a reagent ( ) or analytical reagent is a substance or compound added to a system to cause a chemical reaction, or test if one occurs. A reactant is a substance or compound that is consumed in a chemical reaction.Physical objectIn natural language and physical science, a physical object or material object (or simply an object or body) is a collection of matter, usually contiguous, with a defined boundary, that exists in space and time. It is usually contrasted with abstract objects and mental objects. Also in common usage, an object is not constrained to consist of the same collection of matter. Atoms or parts of an object may change over time.
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