ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Chemical reaction

Chemical reactions happen when different chemicals (like baking soda and vinegar) mix together and change into something else. Just like when you mix yellow and blue paint together, they turn green, chemicals can combine and make a completely new thing!

During a chemical reaction, the chemicals break apart and rearrange their atoms to create new molecules. These new molecules can have different colors, different smells, or even different properties like being hot or cold.

Sometimes, chemical reactions happen on their own - like when a banana starts to turn brown. Other times, we can make chemical reactions happen by adding heat, pressure, or other chemicals. For example, when you cook an egg, the heat causes a chemical reaction to happen and the egg becomes cooked.

Overall, chemical reactions are like a big science experiment where different elements and compounds mix together to make something new and interesting!