Physical chemistry

According to renowned chemist Gilbert Lewis "Physical chemistry is anything interesting." As a combined science of physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and quantum mechanics it functions to provide molecular-level interpretations of observed macroscopic phenomena. Typically, changes in temperature, pressure, volume, heat, and work of systems in the solid, liquid, and or gas phase are correlated to microscopic atomic and molecular interactions.

The type of relationships that physical chemistry tries to resolve include:

The effects of intermolecular forces on the physical properties of materials (plasticity, tensile strength, surface tension in liquids)
The effects of molecular kinetics on the rate of a reaction
How the identity of ions affects electrical conductivity of materials

Most cite Willard Gibbs as the founder of physical chemistry as stemming from his 1876 paper: “On the Equilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances”, wherein such cornerstones as free energy, chemical potential, and phase rule were developed.

Modern physical chemistry is firmly grounded upon physics. Important areas of study include thermochemistry (chemical thermodynamics), chemical kinetics, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, electrochemistry, surface and solid state chemistry, and spectroscopy. Physical chemistry is also fundamental to modern materials science.

Important physical chemists

Fictional Physical Chemists

Ned Brainard

Literature

Physical Chemistry, P.W. Atkins, 1978, Oxford University Press ISBN 0-7167-3539-3
Physical Chemistry, R. Stephen Berry, Stuart A. Rice, John Ross, 2000 (2nd Edition), Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-510589-3
Introduction to Modern Colloid Science, R.J. Hunter, 1993, Oxford University Press ISBN 0198553862
Principles of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, P.C. Hiemenz, R. Rajagopalan, 1997, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York ISBN 0824793978
Physical Chemistry, W.J. Moore, 1963 (4th Edition), Longmans, London/Prentice Hall, NJ, ISBN ????

Physical chemistry

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Important physical chemists

Fictional Physical Chemists

See also

Literature