Question 1

What is chemistry?

Accepted Answer

Chemistry is the study of what things are made of and how they change. Everything you can see or touch is made of tiny parts called atoms that chemistry helps us understand.

Question 2

Why is water called 'H2O'?

Accepted Answer

Water is called 'H2O' because it's made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. That's like having two tiny blocks of hydrogen and one block of oxygen sticking together!

Question 3

What happens when we mix baking soda and vinegar?

Accepted Answer

When you mix baking soda and vinegar, they react to make bubbles of gas. It's like a mini explosion that makes carbon dioxide, which is the same gas that makes soda fizzy.

Question 4

Why do apples turn brown when cut?

Accepted Answer

Apples turn brown because they react with oxygen in the air. The apple has an enzyme that reacts with the oxygen to make a brown color, kind of like how fall leaves change color.

Question 5

How does soap clean our hands?

Accepted Answer

Soap helps clean our hands by breaking up dirt and germs so water can wash them away. It’s like how a magnet picks up metal bits.

Question 6

What makes fire burn?

Accepted Answer

Fire burns when it has fuel, heat, and oxygen. When they come together, they create a chemical reaction that releases energy as light and heat.

Question 7

Why do we use salt to melt ice?

Accepted Answer

Salt helps melt ice by lowering its freezing point. This means ice needs to be colder than usual to stay frozen, so it turns into water instead.

Question 8

Why is the sky blue?

Accepted Answer

The sky looks blue because sunlight gets scattered by air, and blue light scatters the most. It’s like tiny bits of air are spreading blue light all over!

Question 9

How do plants make their food?

Accepted Answer

Plants make their food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide in a process called photosynthesis. They use sunlight to turn these ingredients into sugar and oxygen.

Question 10

Why does food spoil?

Accepted Answer

Food spoils because tiny organisms like bacteria and mold grow on it. These tiny creatures break down the food, causing bad smells and tastes.

Question 11

What makes soda fizzy?

Accepted Answer

Soda is fizzy because it has carbon dioxide gas dissolved in it. When you open the bottle, the gas escapes and makes bubbles.

Question 12

Why do cookies rise in the oven?

Accepted Answer

Cookies rise in the oven because baking soda or baking powder makes carbon dioxide gas. The gas makes bubbles that help the dough puff up.

Question 13

Why do we cry when cutting onions?

Accepted Answer

Cutting onions releases a gas that irritates our eyes, making them water. Our eyes cry to wash the gas away and stop the sting.

Question 14

How does a battery work?

Accepted Answer

A battery works by using chemicals to store and release electricity. When you connect it to something, the chemicals inside make a flow of energy to power things.

Question 15

What is rust?

Accepted Answer

Rust is the reddish stuff that forms on iron when it gets wet and reacts with oxygen. It’s like the iron is slowly being eaten away by the air and water.

Question 16

Why is lemon juice sour?

Accepted Answer

Lemon juice is sour because it has lots of citric acid. This acid gives it a sharp taste that makes us pucker up.

Question 17

How does toothpaste clean our teeth?

Accepted Answer

Toothpaste cleans our teeth by scrubbing away food and germs. It has ingredients like tiny scrubbers that help remove bad stuff from our teeth.

Question 18

Why do ice cubes stick together?

Accepted Answer

Ice cubes stick together because when they melt a little, the water freezes again and acts like glue. It’s like they get glued by a tiny bit of melted water.

Question 19

What is a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

A chemical reaction happens when substances change into something new. It’s like mixing colors of playdough and getting a new color.

Question 20

Why does bread toast turn brown?

Accepted Answer

Bread turns brown when toasted because of a chemical reaction with heat called the Maillard reaction. It makes toast crispy and gives it a delicious flavor.

The Chemistry of Everyday Life - 20 FAQs Explained Simply