Wiktionary
n. (context chemistry physics English) The science that uses theories and techniques from physics to study chemical systems.
WordNet
n. the branch of chemistry dealing with the physical properties of chemical substances
Wikipedia
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of laws and concepts of physics. It applies the principles, practices and concepts of physics such as motion, energy, force, time, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, dynamics and equilibrium.
Physical chemistry, in contrast to chemical physics, is predominantly (but not always) a macroscopic or supra-molecular science, as the majority of the principles on which physical chemistry was founded are concepts related to the bulk rather than on molecular/atomic structure alone (for example, chemical equilibrium and colloids).
Some of the relationships that physical chemistry strives to resolve include the effects of:
- Intermolecular forces that act upon the physical properties of materials ( plasticity, tensile strength, surface tension in liquids).
- Reaction kinetics on the rate of a reaction.
- The identity of ions and the electrical conductivity of materials.
- Surface chemistry and electrochemistry of membranes.
- Interaction of one body with another in terms of quantities of heat and work called thermodynamics.
- Transfer of heat between a chemical system and its surroundings during change of phase or chemical reaction taking place called thermochemistry
- Study of colligative properties of number of species present in solution.
- Number of phases, number of components and degree of freedom (or variance) can be correlated with one another with help of phase rule.
- Reactions of electrochemical cells.
Usage examples of "physical chemistry".
I agreed, and when at the end of the first semester there were only three As in physical chemistry out of a class of sixty, and I was one of them, the probation was lifted.
The physical chemistry between them had grown even stronger, stronger than she had ever imagined it could be, like an electrical field she could sense through every pore of her skin.
A moment of illumination filled her mind and she saw the man at his work as more than flesh and sinew and nerves -- more than the physical chemistry with blanks to be filled in.
I agreed, and when at the end of the first semester there were only three A's in physical chemistry out of a class of sixty, and I was one of them, the probation was lifted.
His Lest Darkness Fall which I read in preference to studying for an all-important test in physical chemistry (without ever regretting it) appeared forty-eight years ago.
Grant looked at each of his four companions: biophysics, computer engineering, physical chemistry, and fluid dynamics.
Maris had always been content to wait until that once-in-a-lifetime love happened to her, too, rather than waste time by flinging herself without thought into a brief affair with any man who just happened to have the right physical chemistry with her.
Certainly the physical chemistry between them was powerful, explosive even.