Physical chemistry

Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of the principles, practices, and concepts of physics such as motion, energy, force, time, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, analytical dynamics and chemical equilibrium.

Physical chemistry, in contrast to chemical physics, is predominantly (but not always) a macroscopic or supra-molecular science, as the majority of the principles on which it was founded relate to the bulk rather than the molecular/atomic structure alone (for example, chemical equilibrium and colloids).

Some of the relationships that physical chemistry strives to resolve include the effects of:

• Intermolecular forces that act upon the physical properties of materials (plasticity, tensile strength, surface tension in liquids).
• Reaction kinetics on the rate of a reaction.
• The identity of ions and the electrical conductivity of materials.
• Surface science and electrochemistry of cell membranes.
• Interaction of one body with another in terms of quantities of heat and work called thermodynamics.
• Transfer of heat between a chemical system and its surroundings during change of phase or chemical reaction taking place called thermochemistry
• Study of colligative properties of number of species present in solution.
• Number of phases, number of components and degree of freedom (or variance).
• Reaction of electrochemical cells.

Physical chemistry is the science of physical and chemical phenomena. It is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of the physical and chemical properties of matter and the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions. It is a discipline that combines principles of physics and chemistry to understand the physical properties of molecules, the forces that act upon them, and how they interact and react under different conditions.

Physical chemistry has large overlap with molecular physics. Physical chemists use theories and techniques from physics to study chemical systems. Theoretical physical chemistry uses quantum mechanics to study the theoretical foundations of chemical reactions and interactions. Experimental physical chemistry uses experimental techniques to study chemical systems.

Physical chemistry can be thought of as a sub-discipline of both chemistry and physics. It is one of the fundamental branches of chemistry, the others being organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and analytical chemistry.

Physical chemistry has several sub-disciplines, including electrochemistry, photochemistry, surface chemistry, and chemical kinetics. These focus on different aspects of the physical and chemical properties of substances.

Physical chemistry is used in a wide variety of fields, including materials science, nanotechnology, and drug design.

Physical chemistry Resources
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