Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. 12 It is a physical science within the natural sciences that studies matter: composition, structure, properties, behavior and the changes they undergo during reactions with other substances. 3456 Chemistry also addresses the nature of chemical bonds in chemical compounds.

In the scope of its subject, chemistry occupies an intermediate position between physics and biology. 7 It is sometimes called the central science because it provides a foundation for understanding both basic and applied scientific disciplines at a fundamental level. 8 For example, chemistry explains aspects of plant growth (botany), the formation of igneous rocks (geology), how atmospheric ozone is formed and how environmental pollutants are degraded (ecology), the properties of the soil on the Moon (cosmochemistry), how medications work (pharmacology), and how to collect DNA evidence at a crime scene (forensics). 9

Chemistry has existed under various names since ancient times. 10 It has evolved, and now chemistry encompasses various areas of specialization, or subdisciplines, that continue to increase in number and interrelate to create further interdisciplinary fields of study. The applications of various fields of chemistry are used frequently for economic purposes in the chemical industry. 11