What does chemical synthesis typically involve?

Chemical synthesis typically involves one or more chemical reactions to create new compounds from simpler reactants. This process is fundamental in chemistry as it allows scientists to combine different elements and compounds through chemical reactions, leading to the formation of new chemical substances with unique properties.

For example, when two reactants react under specific conditions—such as heat, pressure, or the presence of a catalyst—new chemical bonds are formed or broken, resulting in the creation of a product that did not exist before. This is essential in various applications, ranging from pharmaceuticals to materials science.

The other options do not accurately depict the nature of chemical synthesis. Using only physical manipulations or merely mixing compounds does not lead to new chemical species, as these actions do not involve any chemical reactions that would alter the molecular composition or structure of the substances involved. Additionally, performing experiments without any reactions would not constitute chemical synthesis, as no transformation of substances would occur in that scenario.