This engaging introduction to chemistry tackles the key concepts and big ideas in a friendly and accessible way. From atoms to molecules, discover the basic building blocks of the universe and find out how chemists use them to create amazing new medicines, materials and more. Follow step-by-step chemical reactions, explore the periodic table and learn all about chemistry's real-life applications from solving crimes to producing green energy.Chapters in this book include:IntroductionFind out what chemistry is, and the amazing things chemists have learned to do with it over the centruries. What's the world made of?Discover the basic building blocks of EVERYTHING around you, why they're always changing and how they join together. Journey into an atomThe smallest building block - an atom - is itself made of even smaller parts.Keep track of the 118 atoms we know about so far in a handly chart called the periodic table. Making connectionsChemistry is all about what heppens when atoms connect