Which field of study examines the properties and changes of matter?

Chemistry is the field of study that focuses on the properties, composition, and changes of matter. It explores how substances interact with each other, how they can transform through reactions, and the energy changes that accompany these processes. Chemists investigate the building blocks of matter at atomic and molecular levels, studying aspects such as the behavior of elements, compounds, and mixtures.

This discipline is instrumental in understanding everything from the fundamental characteristics of elements in the periodic table to complex biochemical pathways in organisms. Through the lens of chemistry, one can grasp how matter behaves under various conditions, making it a critical science in both theoretical and practical applications, such as drug development, environmental science, and materials engineering.

The other fields mentioned—physics, biology, and astronomy—while significant in their own rights, focus on different aspects of the natural world. Physics deals primarily with the fundamental forces and laws of nature, biology studies living organisms and their interactions, and astronomy focuses on celestial bodies and the universe beyond Earth. While they may intersect with chemistry, especially in areas like biochemistry and physical chemistry, the core focus on matter's properties and changes distinctly aligns with chemistry.