
Chemical element | Definition, Origins, Distribution, & Facts - Britannica
Jan 9, 2026 · A chemical element is any substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical processes. Elements are the fundamental materials of which all matter is …
Chemical Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
CHEMICAL meaning: 1 : of or relating to chemistry; 2 : working by means of chemicals
Chemical reaction | Definition, Equations, Examples, & Types - Britannica
5 days ago · Substances are either chemical elements or compounds. A chemical reaction rearranges the constituent atoms of the reactants to create different substances as products.
Chemical compound | Definition, Examples, & Types | Britannica
Dec 16, 2025 · All the matter in the universe is composed of the atoms of more than 100 different chemical elements, which are found both in pure form and combined in chemical compounds.
Chemistry | Definition, Topics, Types, History, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 26, 2025 · Cooking, fermentation, glass making, and metallurgy are all chemical processes that date from the beginnings of civilization. Today, vinyl, Teflon, liquid crystals, semiconductors, and …
Chemical castration | Usage, Treatment, Legality, & Facts | Britannica
Chemical castration differs from surgical castration in that it is reversible and its effects typically stop when the drugs are ceased. Chemical castration is used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, …
chemical reaction - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
The substances in a chemical reaction may be chemical elements, molecules, or compounds. The substances present at the start of a chemical reaction are called the reactants; the substances …
Chemical bonding | Definition, Types, & Examples | Britannica
Dec 9, 2025 · This article begins by describing the historical evolution of the current understanding of chemical bonding and then discusses how modern theories of the formation of chemical bonds have …
Water | Definition, Chemical Formula, Structure, Molecule, & Facts ...
Dec 29, 2025 · This article describes the molecular structure of water as well as its physical and chemical properties. For other major treatments of water, see climate; environmental works; …
Acid | Definition, Examples, Types, Uses, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 12, 2025 · What is an acid, as defined in chemistry? An acid is any substance that in water solution tastes sour, changes blue litmus paper to red, reacts with some metals to liberate hydrogen, reacts …