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Substance facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Substance is the material that makes up everything around us. Think of it as the "stuff" things are made of. Substances are physical things you can see, touch, or measure.

For example, iron is a substance, and so is water. The air you breathe is also a substance, even though you can't see it! Substances are made up of one or more basic parts called elements.

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Steam (water vapor) and liquid water are two different forms of the same chemical substance: water.

What is a Substance?

A substance is a type of matter that has a specific makeup and properties. This means it's always the same, no matter where you find it. For instance, pure water is always H2O, whether it's in a river or a glass.

  • Elements: These are the simplest substances. They cannot be broken down into other substances. Examples include oxygen, gold, and carbon.
  • Compounds: These are substances made when two or more different elements combine in a fixed way. Water (H2O) is a compound because it's made of hydrogen and oxygen. Table salt (sodium chloride) is another example.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Substance para niños

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Substance Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.