The branch of science that deals with the nature and properties of substances and how one substance can be converted to another is known as

1. Analyze the question The question asks which branch of science studies the nature and properties of substances (matter) and how one substance can change into another.

2. Explain the concept Each branch of science has its own focus:

• Biology: the study of living things (plants, animals, microorganisms).
• Chemistry: the study of matter, its composition, properties, and the changes it undergoes, including how substances are converted into new ones through chemical reactions.
• Geography: the study of the Earth's surface, climate, people, and environments. It is not one of the natural sciences in this sense.
• Physics: the study of matter and energy and how they interact, such as motion, force, heat, light, and electricity.

3. Solve step by step

• "Nature and properties of substances" points to the composition and characteristics of matter, which is what chemistry covers.
• "How one substance can be converted to another" describes chemical reactions, for example iron turning into rust or hydrogen and oxygen forming water.
• Biology deals with living organisms, geography with the Earth and its people, and physics with energy and forces. None of these focuses on converting substances.

4. Answer The correct option is B. chemistry.

5. Exam tip Link the keywords to the subject:

• Substances, properties, reactions, conversion → Chemistry
• Living things → Biology
• Energy, force, motion → Physics
• Earth, climate, maps → Geography

When a definition mentions substances changing into other substances, think "chemical change", which means chemistry.