What is Physical Chemistry?

Physical chemistry is a branch of chemistry that studies the principles from physics underlying chemical reactions. It provides deep insights into the behaviors of molecules, the forces they experience, and their interactions and chemical reactions.

The term "physical chemistry" was introduced by Mikhail Lomonosov in 1752. Since then, it has seen significant contributions from notable scientists such as Josiah Willard Gibbs, Wilhelm Ostwald, Jacobus Henricus van't Hoff, and Linus Pauling.

Key areas in physical chemistry include quantum chemistry and spectroscopy. Quantum chemistry applies quantum mechanics to determine properties like bond strength and molecular dynamics. Spectroscopy studies the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter.

Other important concepts involve chemical thermodynamics, which sets boundaries on reaction extent and energy conversion, and chemical kinetics, which examines the factors affecting the rate of chemical reactions. Statistical mechanics offers a framework to explain the behavior of a large number of particles using variables like pressure, temperature, and concentration.

Physical chemistry has practical applications in diverse fields such as nuclear chemistry, astrochemistry, and predicting physicochemical properties based on chemical structure. It remains a dynamic field with ongoing research regularly published in respected journals.