Explaining chemistry to kids

My 6yo was using logic with his little brother of 3.

Do you like ketchup

Yes

Do you like tomatoes

No

How is it possibleas ketchup is made of tomatoes

This is the perfect time to talk about how stuff made from other stuff is not just the sum of the part, but a full new product.

It works in food, but also in, very simplified, chemistry:

  • Hydrogen + Fire = BOOM
  • Oxygen + Fire = FIRE (i.e. bigger fire)
  • Basic logic -> Oxygen + Hydrogen + Fire = BOOM of FIRE
  • Reality -> Oxygen + Hydrogen = Water + Fire = … (i.e. no fire)
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