Combinatorial chemistry

Have you ever seen a big bag of different colored candies? Imagine that scientists could make big bags of different kinds of chemicals instead of candies. Combinatorial chemistry is when scientists mix lots of these chemicals together, like mixing lots of different colored candies in a bowl.

Then, they can test all of the mixed chemicals to see if they make something new and useful, like a medicine that can help people who are sick. It's kind of like playing with Legos but instead of building things, scientists are trying to make new chemicals that can do cool things!