Physical Chemistry
Physical chemistry is a branch of chemistry and is often abbreviated as Pchem. It consists of two
words physical and chemistry. It basically deals with the study of matter and the transformation
that occur in matter. It is a macroscopic study in which there is use of physics laws to develop
mathematical models. These models are then used by chemists to observe the changes is matter.
For example, when we heat ice, it changes from solid to liquid and eventually into gas. These
changes are observed and then quantified in physical chemistry.
In other words, whatever is going around us there is some chemistry behind it and if we want to
understand it in the form of numbers then for that there is physical chemistry. Modern physical
chemistry was developed in 1860s to 1880s. These changes are observed and then quantified in
physical chemistry.
It is further divided into different branches which are
1.Quantum chemistry.
2.Nuclear chemistry.
3.kinetics.
4.spectroscopy.
5. Thermodynamics.
Spectroscopy.
In spectroscopy we study about the interaction of
light with the matter. The different regions of light are microwaves, radiowaves, infrared, visible,
ultraviolent, X-ray and gamma radiation. To study these regions there are different instruments
and spectroscopies. We have UV visible spectrometer, FTIR, XRD, mass spectrometer, atomic
spectrometer and many more. These are then use in different fields. For example, X-rays are used
to check fractures, MRI is used to check your body organs, microwaves are used in microwave
ovens and so on. Nuclear chemistry is used in the energy production sectors. The most important
source of energy on the earth is sun and the reactions which are taking place in it are nuclear fusion
reactions. By using the nuclear chemistry nuclear bombs has been made which are playing a vital
role in the defense of the country. Thermodynamic chemistry is yet another important part of
physical chemistry. It also has its application in medical and many other fields. The burning of
gasoline in the engine, the thermometers used to check body temperature and, in the industries to
keep track of different reactions going on, different solutions that are used in different processes
all comes in this subject.
Hence there is not any field in which physical chemistry is not playing its role either it is food
industry, technology, defense system, medical science, pharmaceutical industries, automobile
industries, oil and gas industry etc