PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY BASICS

Ooooh. We smell math. This must be the page on Physical Chemistry. If you like math, complex calculations and a little bit of physics then this is the chemistry for you! It's really not all bad. Don't let the math keep you away. Physical chemistry is the newest field of chemistry.

Since P-Chem uses both chemistry and physics it is the study of both matter and energy. It studies the details of atoms and elements. Those studies could not be done 200 years ago because we didn't have the technology. P-chemists study thermodynamics of reactions and then do the complex calculations to figure out the amounts energy involved. These folks also look deep into the structure of compounds and their atoms. It's truly amazing.

SPECTROSCOPY

One of the cornerstones of P-Chem is Spectroscopy and analyzing the structures of compounds. On one hand, they are testing and proving many of the existing theories of chemistry. On the other hand they are acting as true explorers; searching and visiting new worlds of neutrinos, quarks and the origins of matter. That exploration is the exciting part.

IT'S JUST A THEORY

Much of physical chemistry is based on theories and math. We don't actually have the equipment to prove many of the ideas developed with this science. In the same way that nuclear physicists need to do much of their work on paper, physical chemists are right there with their calculators and spreadsheets.

RELATED LINKS

- Biology4Kids: Scientific Method
- Geography4Kids: Science Instruments
- Geography4Kids: Climatology
- Geography4Kids: Ecology
- Physics4Kids: Temperature Scales

- International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
- American Chemical Society

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