the basic characteristics of substances and the different ways in which they react or combine with other substances, or the scientific study of such the basic characteristics of substances and the different ways in which they react or combine with other substances, or the scientific study of such the basic characteristics of substances and the different ways in which they react or combine with other substances, or the scientific study of such the basic characteristics of substances and the different ways in which they react or combine with other substances, or the scientific study of such