PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

If we look around us, chemical reactions are taking place everywhere. When we strike a match to
light our grills, a chemical reaction occurs. If we mix milk with baking powder in our favourite
recipe, a reaction happens.
Why do some reactions create heat? How is it that certain reactions proceed fast while others
move very slow? All of these questions and more can be solved within the field of physical
chemistry.
Physical chemistry is a branch of chemistry, like organic chemistry. It is easy to define physical
chemistry because the name is self-explanatory. The accepted definition of physical chemistry is,
it is a field of study that incorporates physics principles, theories, and techniques into chemistry
to understand the properties of chemical substances better.
Wilhelm Ostwald was among the pioneers of chemistry in the early 20th century who was
largely responsible for establishing physical chemistry as an acknowledged branch of chemistry.
In the early part of his research career, he investigated the chemical affinities of various acids
and bases. Subsequently, he broadened his horizons and performed path-breaking work in the
field of chemical catalysis. An outcome of this work was the famous Ostwald process which
continues to be a mainstay of the modern chemical industry.
The nature of physical chemistry is a confluence of physics, with all its mathematical base, and
chemistry. This blend gives the chemists answers to many of their questions, helps formulate
processes to extract elements or synthesize compounds, make chemical reactions go faster or
slower, tap chemical energy, etc. The field and scope of physical chemistry have expanded by
leaps and bounds in recent years

Branches and Topics in Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry is a part of chemistry. But the field of physical chemistry includes many
branches within it. Each of these branches of physical chemistry finds application in our daily
life. They offer exciting insight into how this field of science serves us.
Some of the branches include:-
 Thermochemistry: is the study of the heat energy which is associated with chemical
reactions and/or phase changes such as melting and boiling.
 Chemical kinetics: also known as reaction kinetics, is the branch of physical
chemistry that is concerned with understanding the rates of chemical reactions
 Quantum chemistry: also called molecular quantum mechanics, is a branch of physical
chemistry focused on the application of quantum mechanics to chemical systems,
particularly towards the quantum-mechanical calculation of electronic contributions to
physical and chemical properties of molecules, materials, and solutions at the atomic
level.
  Electrochemistry: is the branch of physical chemistry concerned with the relationship
between electrical potential difference, as a measurable and quantitative phenomenon,
and identifiable chemical change, with the potential difference as an outcome of a
particular chemical change, or vice versa.
 Photochemistry: is the branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical effects of light.
It also includes Surface chemistry, Solid-state chemistry, Spectroscopy, Biophysical chemistry,
Materials science and Physical organic chemistry.

Physical chemistry can also be defined as the study of macroscopic and microscopic 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 equilibria.
Physical chemists discover, test, and strive to understand the physical characteristics of a
material (i.e., solid, liquid, or gas). Precision and attention to detail make their work somewhat
similar to analytical chemistry.
They use sophisticated instrumentation and equipment such as lasers, mass spectrometers,
nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron microscopes to:
 Analyse materials
 Develop methods to test and characterize the properties of materials
 Develop theories about these properties
 Discover the potential use of the materials
Physical chemistry is a part of our everyday life. The batteries in our vehicles use the principle of
electrochemistry. The photosynthetic process of green plants is an example of physical chemistry
applied by biological systems. Solar devices change energy from sunlight into electrical energy.
Physical chemistry is essential to understanding the other branches of chemistry. It provides a
basis for understanding the thermodynamic influences (principally, the entropy changes
accompanying reactions) that drive chemical reactions forward. It provides justifications for the
schemes proposed in organic chemistry to predict and account for the reactions of organic
compounds. It accounts for the structures and properties of transition
metal complexes, organometallic compounds , the microporous materials known as zeolites that
are so important for catalysis , and biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids
(including DNA ). It is fair to say that there is no branch of chemistry (including biochemistry)
that can be fully understood without interpretations provided by physical chemistry.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic and microscopic 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 equilibria.

The first scientific journal specifically in the field of physical chemistry was the German
journal, Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie, founded in 1887 by Wilhelm
Ostwald and Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff. Together with Svante August Arrhenius,
[11] these were the leading figures in physical chemistry in the late 19th century and
early 20th century. All three were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry between 1901
and 1909.

BRANCHES OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

There are several branches of Physical chemistry that holds vital importance in this
subject. Below you can read in brief about different branches of chemistry.

 Thermodynamics: is a branch of physical chemistry. It deals with the relation

between heat, work, energy, and temperature. 
 Chemical kinetics: branch of physical Chemistry also known as Reaction kinetics.
In this students study about the rate of chemical processes.
 Photochemistry: This branch of physical chemistry studies the chemical effects of
light.
 Quantum Chemistry: This is a branch of Physical chemistry that focus on the
applications of quantum mechanics in various physical models and different
experiments of chemistry.
 Electrochemistry: This branch of physical chemistry studies the movement of
electrons due to various chemical processes.
 Biophysical chemistry: This branch of physical chemistry involves the concepts of
physics and chemistry together to research biological systems.

Physical chemistry is essential to understanding the other branches of chemistry. It

provides a basis for understanding the thermodynamic influences (principally, the
entropy changes accompanying reactions) that drive chemical reactions forward. It
provides justifications for the schemes proposed in organic chemistry to predict and
account for the reactions of organic compounds. It accounts for the structures and
properties of transition metal complexes, organometallic compounds , the microporous
materials known as zeolites that are so important for catalysis , and biological
macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids (including DNA ). It is fair to say that
there is no branch of chemistry (including biochemistry) that can be fully understood
without interpretations provided by physical chemistry.

Physical chemistry is a part of our everyday life. The batteries in our vehicles use the
principle of electrochemistry. The photosynthetic process of green plants is an example
of physical chemistry applied by biological systems. Solar devices change energy from
sunlight into electrical energy.

Physical chemists discover, test, and strive to understand the physical characteristics of a
material (i.e., solid, liquid, or gas). Precision and attention to detail make their work
somewhat similar to analytical chemistry.

They use sophisticated instrumentation and equipment such as lasers, mass

spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron microscopes to:

 Analyse materials
 Develop methods to test and characterize the properties of materials
 Develop theories about these properties
 Discover the potential use of the materials
 ETHIO NATIONAL SCHOOL

CHEMISTRY ASSIGNMENT

Name: Natanim Mulualem

Class: 11E

Roll no_: 36

Submission date:

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