PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY Meaning and
Definition
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Physical chemistry is a branch of chemistry that primarily focuses on studying the fundamental principles governing the behavior and properties of matter at the molecular and atomic level, employing both classical and quantum physics. It explores the physical and chemical transformations that materials undergo, emphasizing their energetics, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
Physical chemistry amalgamates various scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science. Its scope encompasses examining the behavior of molecules and their interactions with energy, such as radiation or heat, as well as the effect of these interactions on the physical properties of substances. This field is concerned with unraveling the fundamental principles behind chemical reactions and elucidating the mechanisms governing them, often through the application of mathematical models and theoretical calculations.
Physical chemistry plays a crucial role in elucidating the structure and function of various materials, including polymers, metals, biological macromolecules, and nanomaterials. It contributes significantly to industries such as pharmaceuticals, catalysis, materials science, environmental science, and biochemistry. Moreover, physical chemists utilize sophisticated analytical techniques, such as spectroscopy and computational simulations, to investigate molecular structures, dynamics, and interactions.
In summary, physical chemistry is an interdisciplinary science that investigates the fundamental principles governing the behavior of matter at the atomic and molecular level. It focuses on understanding the energetics, kinetics, and thermodynamics of chemical reactions and the physical properties of substances. By employing techniques from physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science, physical chemists provide insights into the structure, function, and transformations of various materials.
Common Misspellings for PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
- ohysical chemistry
- lhysical chemistry
- -hysical chemistry
- 0hysical chemistry
- pgysical chemistry
- pbysical chemistry
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- phyaical chemistry
- phyzical chemistry
- phyxical chemistry
Etymology of PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
The word "physical chemistry" comes from the combination of two distinct words: "physical" and "chemistry".
The term "physical" originates from the Latin word "physica", which means "natural science" or "study of nature". It was adopted into Middle English and later evolved into the modern English term "physical" to refer to anything related to the natural world, especially in terms of matter and energy.
Meanwhile, the word "chemistry" has its roots in the Arabic term "al-kīmiyā", which referred to the ancient practice of transmuting base metals into gold. This term then passed into medieval Latin as "chemia" and gradually transformed into the English word "chemistry".
The combination of these two words, "physical" and "chemistry", was first used in the late 19th century to describe the branch of science that focuses on the study of chemical processes from a physical perspective.
Similar spelling words for PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
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- physical anthropology.
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