Chemistry is the study of the substances that make up our world. Because the field is so big, it has been helpful to break it up into smaller parts. Chemistry is the scientific study of matter, which includes anything that has mass and takes up space, as well as the changes that matter goes through. Often referred to as the "central science," it provides a basic framework for comprehending the world at the molecular level, connecting physics with other natural sciences like biology, geology, and environmental science.