Each discipline provides a more general framework for the area it precedes (mathematics → astronomy → physics → chemistry → biology → social sciences). Balaban and Klein have more recently proposed a diagram showing the partial ordering of sciences in which chemistry may be argued is "the central science" since it provides a significant degree of branching.
Different disciplines offer a general framework for the preceding area (mathematics leads to astronomy, which in turn leads to physics, and so on until biology and social sciences). Balaban and Klein have more recently proposed a diagram showing how sciences are related, with chemistry being considered "the central science" due to its significant branching.