What type of chemistry deals with substances that do not contain carbon?

Inorganic chemistry is the correct answer because it specifically focuses on compounds and elements that do not primarily consist of carbon. This branch of chemistry studies a wide range of substances, including minerals, metals, and nonmetals, as well as their interactions and properties. Inorganic compounds may include salts, metals, and minerals, which are crucial for understanding various chemical reactions and processes outside of organic substances.

Organic chemistry, on the other hand, is centered around carbon-containing compounds, which are incredibly diverse and form the foundation for life, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Biochemistry is a subset of organic chemistry that specifically deals with biological processes and the chemistry of living organisms, focusing on the molecules essential for life. Environmental chemistry encompasses aspects of both organic and inorganic chemistry as it studies chemical processes occurring in the environment, including reactions that involve both carbon-rich and non-carbon materials.

By identifying inorganic chemistry as the branch dealing with non-carbon substances, one can better appreciate the distinction between these branches of chemistry and their respective focus areas.