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Chemistry addresses the fundamental nature of substances and the changes these substances undergo. For example, what is caffeine? How does caffeine affect your brain? How can we detect caffeine and determine how much is in coffee tea or your blood? What chemical reactions can be carried out to synthesize caffeine in the laboratory?

Modern civilization is based on energy obtained primarily from burning carbon and hydrocarbons with the result that carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere have been steadily increasing since the industrial revolution. What are the alternatives? Is the hydrogen economy practical or feasible? What about nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactors?