EVERYDAY CHEMISTRY Solid Matter

When trying to understand and to manipulate matter and materials, chemistry does not start by looking at the natural world in all its complexity. Rather, it seeks to establish what have been termed exemplar phenomena ideal or simplified examples that are capable of investigation with the tools available at the time (Gilbert, Borrlter, Elmer, 2000). This level consists of representatiorrs of the empirical properties of solids, liquids (taken to include solutions, especially aqueous solutiorts), colloids, gases and aerosols. These properties are perceptible in chemistry laboratories and in everyday life and are therefore able to be meastrred. Examples of such properties are mass, density, concentration, pH, temperatrrre and osmotic presstrre. 

Chemistry is the study of matter and its composition. Chemistry is also the study of what happens when matter interacts with other matter. When you mix ingredients for a cake and put the batter in the oven, that is chemistry. When you pour soda water on a stain to remove it from your favourite T-shirt, that is chemistry. When a scientist puts a chunk of an ice-like solid into a beaker, causing white mist to ooze over the rim, that is chemistry, too. Figure 1.1 illustrates this interaction, as well as several other examples of chemistry in everyday life. 

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