Question 1

What is chemistry?

Accepted Answer

Chemistry is the science that studies what things are made of and how they change. It's like being a detective to see how different materials are put together.

Question 2

Why is chemistry important in everyday life?

Accepted Answer

Chemistry is important because it helps us understand how things work around us. From the food we eat to the soaps we use, chemistry explains it all.

Question 3

How do soap and water work to clean things?

Accepted Answer

Soap and water work together to lift dirt and germs off your hands. Soap makes a slippery layer that helps water wash everything away.

Question 4

Why do apples turn brown when you cut them?

Accepted Answer

Apples turn brown because they react with the air. The oxygen in the air mixes with parts of the apple and makes it change color.

Question 5

What makes a fizzy drink fizzy?

Accepted Answer

A fizzy drink is fizzy because it has tiny bubbles of gas called carbon dioxide. When you open the bottle, the gas escapes and makes the drink bubbly.

Question 6

Why does ice cream melt when it's warm?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream melts because the heat makes it turn from solid to liquid. The warm air gives energy to the ice cream, breaking apart the frozen parts.

Question 7

Why do onions make you cry?

Accepted Answer

Onions make you cry because they release a gas that mixes with the water in your eyes to make a kind of tear-making juice. This juice causes your eyes to water more.

Question 8

Why do things have different smells?

Accepted Answer

Things have different smells because they have tiny particles that float into the air and reach our noses. Our noses can tell the difference between these particles.

Question 9

What makes bread rise?

Accepted Answer

Bread rises because of something called yeast. Yeast eats sugar and releases gas, which makes the dough puff up.

Question 10

Why do we use salt in cooking?

Accepted Answer

We use salt in cooking because it helps bring out the flavors in food. It also helps with preserving food and can change its texture.

Question 11

Why does metal feel cold?

Accepted Answer

Metal feels cold because it takes heat away from your hand faster than other materials. It doesn't mean it's really colder, just that it moves heat more quickly.

Question 12

How does baking a cake work?

Accepted Answer

Baking a cake works by mixing different ingredients that change when heated. Heat makes the cake batter rise and become fluffy.

Question 13

Why does rubber band stretch?

Accepted Answer

A rubber band stretches because it's made of long tangled molecules that can straighten out when you pull. When you let go, they go back to their original shape.

Question 14

Why does soda lose its fizz?

Accepted Answer

Soda loses its fizz because the gas bubbles escape into the air. Once the bottle is open, the gas has a chance to leave, making it less fizzy.

Question 15

Why do some things glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Some things glow in the dark because they absorb light and then slowly release it. This makes them look like they shine on their own.

Question 16

How does a refrigerator keep food cold?

Accepted Answer

A refrigerator keeps food cold by removing heat from inside and sending it out. It uses special liquids that absorb heat to keep the inside cool.

Question 17

Why do we use vinegar in cleaning?

Accepted Answer

We use vinegar for cleaning because it can break down dirt and kill some germs. Its sourness helps clean things well.

Question 18

What makes a candle burn?

Accepted Answer

A candle burns because the flame melts the wax, turning it into a gas, which then catches fire. The wick helps keep the flame going.

Question 19

What happens when water boils?

Accepted Answer

When water boils, it turns from a liquid into a gas called steam. This happens because heat makes the water molecules move faster and spread apart.

Question 20

Why does lemon taste sour?

Accepted Answer

Lemon tastes sour because it has lots of a tiny particle called acid. Our tongues can taste this acid and feel the sourness.

The Science of Everyday Chemistry - 20 FAQs Explained Simply