Look around you

Look around you. This book you are reading, the chair you sit in, and the computer you use are all made 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. The trees, the water, and the buildings you see are all examples of matter. However, you don’t have to be able to see something for it to qualify as matter. The air you breathe is an example of matter that you cannot see with the naked eye. Have you ever wondered how some creatures can survive deep in the ocean where there is no light? Why some foods taste sweet and some taste bitter? Chemistry answers these questions and the many other questions you may have about the world you live in.