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Chemical physics is a branch of physics that studies chemical processes from a physical point of view. It focuses on understanding the physical properties and behavior of chemical systems, using principles from both physics and chemistry. This field investigates physicochemical phenomena using techniques from atomic and molecular physics and condensed matter physics.

The United States Department of Education defines chemical physics as "A program that focuses on the scientific study of structural phenomena combining the disciplines of physical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics. Includes instruction in heterogeneous structures, alignment and surface phenomena, quantum theory, mathematical physics, statistical and classical mechanics, chemical kinetics, and laser physics."^[1]

Distinction between Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry

While at the interface of physics and chemistry, chemical physics is distinct from physical chemistry as it focuses more on using physical theories to understand and explain chemical phenomena at the microscopic level, such as quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and molecular dynamics. Meanwhile, physical chemistry uses a broader range of methods, such as thermodynamics and kinetics, to study the physical nature of chemical processes. On the other hand, physical chemistry deals with the physical properties and behavior of matter in chemical reactions, covering a broader range of topics such as thermodynamics, kinetics, and spectroscopy, and often links the macroscopic and microscopic chemical behavior. The distinction between the two fields still needs to be clarified as both fields share common grounds. Scientists often practice in both fields during their research, as there is significant overlap in the topics and techniques used.^[2] Journals like PCCP (Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics) cover research in both areas, highlighting their overlap.

History

The term "chemical physics" in its modern sense was first used by the German scientist A. Eucken, who published "A Course in Chemical Physics" in 1930. Prior to this, in 1927, the publication "Electronic Chemistry" by V. N. Kondrat'ev, N. N. Semenov, and Iu. B. Khariton hinted at the meaning of "chemical physics" through its title. The Institute of Chemical Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR was established in 1931. In the United States, "The Journal of Chemical Physics" has been published since 1933.^[3]

In 1964, the General Electric Foundation established the Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics to honor outstanding achievements in the field of chemical physics. Named after the Nobel Laureate Irving Langmuir, the award recognizes significant contributions to understanding chemical phenomena through physics principles, impacting areas such as surface chemistry and quantum mechanics.^[4]

What chemical physicists do

Chemical physicists investigate the structure and dynamics of ions, free radicals, polymers, clusters, and molecules. Their research includes studying the quantum mechanical aspects of chemical reactions, solvation processes, and the energy flow within and between molecules, and nanomaterials such as quantum dots. Experiments in chemical physics typically involve using spectroscopic methods to understand hydrogen bonding, electron transfer, the formation and dissolution of chemical bonds, chemical reactions, and the formation of nanoparticles.

The research objectives in the theoretical aspect of chemical physics are to understand how chemical structures and reactions work at the quantum mechanical level. This field also aims to clarify how ions and radicals behave and react in the gas phase and to develop precise approximations that simplify the computation of the physics of chemical phenomena.

Chemical physicists are looking for answers to such questions as:

Can we experimentally test quantum mechanical predictions of the vibrations and rotations of simple molecules? Or even those of complex molecules (such as proteins)?
Can we develop more accurate methods for calculating the electronic structure and properties of molecules?
Can we understand chemical reactions from first principles?
Why do quantum dots start blinking (in a pattern suggesting fractal kinetics^[5]) after absorbing photons?
How do chemical reactions really take place?
What is the step-by-step process that occurs when an isolated molecule becomes solvated? Or when a whole ensemble of molecules becomes solvated?
Can we use the properties of negative ions to determine molecular structures, understand the dynamics of chemical reactions, or explain photodissociation?
Why does a stream of soft x-rays knock enough electrons out of the atoms in a xenon cluster to cause the cluster to explode?

Journals

References

^ Detail for CIP Code 40.0508
^ "Introduction to chemical physics. By J. C. Slater. Pp. xiv + 521. London: McGraw‐Hill Publishing Co., Ltd., 1939. 33s". Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry. 59 (11): 187–187. 1940-03-16. doi:10.1002/jctb.5000591106. ISSN 0368-4075.
^ "Chemical Physics". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
^ "Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics". American Chemical Society. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
^ Routzahn, Aaron L.; Jain, Prashant K. (2015-04-08). "Luminescence Blinking of a Reacting Quantum Dot". Nano Letters. 15 (4): 2504–2509. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00068. ISSN 1530-6984.

[1] Detail for CIP Code 40.0508

[2] "Introduction to chemical physics. By J. C. Slater. Pp. xiv + 521. London: McGraw‐Hill Publishing Co., Ltd., 1939. 33s". Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry. 59 (11): 187–187. 1940-03-16. doi:10.1002/jctb.5000591106. ISSN 0368-4075.

[3] "Chemical Physics". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2024-03-31.

[4] "Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics". American Chemical Society. Retrieved 2024-04-16.

[5] Routzahn, Aaron L.; Jain, Prashant K. (2015-04-08). "Luminescence Blinking of a Reacting Quantum Dot". Nano Letters. 15 (4): 2504–2509. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00068. ISSN 1530-6984.

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[2]

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[5]

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+{{Short description|Subdiscipline of chemistry and physics}}
 {{for|the journal|Chemical Physics (journal)}}
+{{distinguish|Physical chemistry}}
-{{Refimprove|date=March 2014}}
+{{More citations needed|date=March 2014}}
-'''Chemical physics''' is a subdiscipline of [[chemistry]] and [[physics]] that investigates physicochemical phenomena using techniques from [[atomic, molecular, and optical physics|atomic and molecular physics]] and [[condensed matter physics]]; it is the branch of physics that studies chemical processes from the point of view of physics. While at the interface of [[physics]] and [[chemistry]], chemical physics is distinct from [[physical chemistry]] in that it focuses more on the characteristic elements and theories of physics. Meanwhile, physical chemistry studies the physical nature of chemistry.  Nonetheless, the distinction between the two fields is vague, and workers often practice in each field during the course of their research.<ref>{{cite book |last=Slater |first=J.C. |authorlink=J.C. Slater |year=1939 |title=Introduction to Chemical Physics}}</ref>
+'''Chemical physics''' is a branch of physics that studies chemical processes from a physical point of view. It focuses on understanding the physical properties and behavior of chemical systems, using principles from both physics and chemistry. This field investigates physicochemical phenomena using techniques from [[Atomic, molecular, and optical physics|atomic and molecular physics]] and [[condensed matter physics]].
+The [[United States Department of Education]] defines chemical physics as "A program that focuses on the scientific study of structural phenomena combining the disciplines of physical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics. Includes instruction in heterogeneous structures, alignment and surface phenomena, quantum theory, mathematical physics, statistical and classical mechanics, chemical kinetics, and laser physics."<ref>[http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/cipdetail.aspx?y=55&cipid=87533 Detail for CIP Code 40.0508]</ref>
+== Distinction between Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry ==
+While at the interface of physics and chemistry, chemical physics is distinct from [[physical chemistry]] as it focuses more on using physical theories to understand and explain chemical phenomena at the microscopic level, such as quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and molecular dynamics. Meanwhile, physical chemistry uses a broader range of methods, such as thermodynamics and kinetics, to study the physical nature of chemical processes. On the other hand, physical chemistry deals with the physical properties and behavior of matter in chemical reactions, covering a broader range of topics such as [[thermodynamics]], [[Kinetics (dynamics)|kinetics]], and [[spectroscopy]], and often links the macroscopic and microscopic chemical behavior. The distinction between the two fields still needs to be clarified as both fields share common grounds. Scientists often practice in both fields during their research, as there is significant overlap in the topics and techniques used.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1940-03-16 |title=Introduction to chemical physics. By J. C. Slater. Pp. xiv + 521. London: McGraw‐Hill Publishing Co., Ltd., 1939. 33s |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5000591106 |journal=Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry |volume=59 |issue=11 |pages=187–187 |doi=10.1002/jctb.5000591106 |issn=0368-4075}}</ref> Journals like PCCP ([[Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics]]) cover research in both areas, highlighting their overlap.
+== History ==
+The term "chemical physics" in its modern sense was first used by the German scientist A. Eucken, who published "A Course in Chemical Physics" in 1930. Prior to this, in 1927, the publication "Electronic Chemistry" by V. N. Kondrat'ev, N. N. Semenov, and Iu. B. Khariton hinted at the meaning of "chemical physics" through its title. The Institute of Chemical Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR was established in 1931. In the United States, "[[The Journal of Chemical Physics]]" has been published since 1933.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chemical Physics |url=https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Chemical+Physics |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=TheFreeDictionary.com |language=en}}</ref>
+In 1964, the General Electric Foundation established the [[Irving Langmuir Award|Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics]] to honor outstanding achievements in the field of chemical physics. Named after the Nobel Laureate [[Irving Langmuir]], the award recognizes significant contributions to understanding chemical phenomena through physics principles, impacting areas such as surface chemistry and quantum mechanics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics |url=https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/irving-langmuir-award-in-chemical-physics.html |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=American Chemical Society |language=en}}</ref>
 ==What chemical physicists do==
-Chemical physicists commonly probe the structure and [[dynamics (mechanics)|dynamics]] of [[ions]], [[free radical]]s, [[polymers]], [[cluster (chemistry)|clusters]], and [[molecule]]s.  Areas of study include the [[quantum mechanical]] behavior of [[chemical reaction]]s, the process of [[solvation]], inter- and intra-molecular energy flow, and single entities such as [[quantum dots]]. Experimental chemical physicists use a variety of [[spectroscopic]] techniques to better understand [[hydrogen bonding]], [[electron transfer]], the formation and dissolution of [[chemical bonds]], chemical reactions, and the formation of [[nanoparticle]]s. Theoretical chemical physicists create simulations of the molecular processes probed in these experiments to both explain results and guide future investigations. The goals of chemical physics research include understanding chemical structures and reactions at the quantum mechanical level, elucidating the structure and reactivity of [[gas]] [[phase transition|phase]] ions and radicals, and discovering accurate approximations to make the physics of chemical phenomena computationally accessible. Chemical physicists are looking for answers to such questions as:
+Chemical physicists investigate the structure and dynamics of [[ions]], [[free radical]]s, [[polymer]]s, [[Cluster (chemistry)|clusters]], and [[molecule]]s. Their research includes studying the quantum mechanical aspects of chemical reactions, solvation processes, and the energy flow within and between molecules, and nanomaterials such as quantum dots. Experiments in chemical physics typically involve using spectroscopic methods to understand [[hydrogen bonding]], [[electron transfer]], the formation and dissolution of [[chemical bond]]s, chemical reactions, and the formation of [[nanoparticle]]s.
+The research objectives in the theoretical aspect of chemical physics are to understand how chemical structures and reactions work at the quantum mechanical level. This field also aims to clarify how ions and radicals behave and react in the gas phase and to develop precise approximations that simplify the computation of the physics of chemical phenomena.
+Chemical physicists are looking for answers to such questions as:
-* Can we experimentally test quantum mechanical predictions of the vibrations and rotations of simple molecules? Or even those of complex molecules (such as [[proteins]])?
+* Can we experimentally test quantum mechanical predictions of the vibrations and rotations of simple molecules? Or even those of complex molecules (such as [[protein]]s)?
 *Can we develop more accurate methods for calculating the electronic structure and properties of molecules?
 * Can we understand chemical reactions from first principles?
-* Why do [[quantum dots]] start [[fluorescence intermittency|blinking]] (in a pattern suggesting [[fractal]] [[kinetics (physics)|kinetics]]) after absorbing [[photon]]s of [[light]]?
+* Why do quantum dots start [[fluorescence intermittency|blinking]] (in a pattern suggesting [[fractal]] [[kinetics (physics)|kinetics]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Routzahn |first=Aaron L. |last2=Jain |first2=Prashant K. |date=2015-04-08 |title=Luminescence Blinking of a Reacting Quantum Dot |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00068 |journal=Nano Letters |language=en |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=2504–2509 |doi=10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00068 |issn=1530-6984|doi-access=free }}</ref>) after absorbing [[photon]]s?
 * How do chemical reactions really take place?
-* What is the step-by-step process that occurs when an isolated molecule becomes solvated? Or when a whole [[ensemble]]{{Disambiguation needed|date=January 2012}} of molecules becomes solvated?
+* What is the step-by-step process that occurs when an isolated molecule becomes solvated? Or when a whole ensemble of molecules becomes solvated?
 * Can we use the properties of negative ions to determine molecular structures, understand the dynamics of chemical reactions, or explain [[photodissociation]]?
 * Why does a stream of [[x-rays|soft x-ray]]s knock enough [[electron]]s out of the [[atom]]s in a [[xenon]] cluster to cause the cluster to explode?
 ==Journals==
-* [[Chemical Physics Letters]]
+{{main category|Chemical physics journals}}
-* [[Journal of Chemical Physics]]
+* ''[[The Journal of Chemical Physics]]''
-* [[Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics]]
+* ''[[Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters]]''
+* ''[[Journal of Physical Chemistry A]]''
+* ''[[Journal of Physical Chemistry B]]''
+* ''[[Journal of Physical Chemistry C]]''
+* ''[[Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics]]''
+* ''[[Chemical Physics Letters]]''
+* ''[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/chemical-physics/ Chemical Physics]''
+* ''[[ChemPhysChem]]''
+* ''[[Molecular Physics (journal)]]''
 ==See also==
 {{Portal|Physics}}
-* [[Intermolecular forces]]
+* [[Intermolecular force]]
 * [[Molecular dynamics]]
 * [[Quantum chemistry]]
-* [[Solid state physics]]
+* [[Solid-state physics]] or [[Condensed matter physics]]
-* [[Surface chemistry]]
+* [[Surface science]]
-* [[Van der Waals molecule]]s
+* [[Van der Waals molecule]]
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
 {{BranchesofChemistry}}
 {{Physics-footer}}
+{{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Chemical Physics}}
 [[Category:Chemical physics| ]]
-[[Category:Chemistry]]
+[[Category:Subfields of chemistry]]
+[[Category:Applied and interdisciplinary physics]]

v t e Branches of chemistry
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