Physical chemistry - Definition and Overview

Physical chemistry is the study of the physical basis of chemical systems and processes. Modern physical chemistry is firmly grounded upon physics. Important areas of study include chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, electrochemistry, surface and solid state chemistry, and spectroscopy.

Physical chemistry is also fundamental to modern materials science.

Important physical chemists

• Svante Arrhenius
• Peter Debye
• J.W. Gibbs
• J.H. van 't Hoff
• Erich Hückel
• Friedrich Kohlrausch
• Frederick Lindemann
• Lars Onsager
• Wilhelm Ostwald
• Linus Pauling

See also

• Important publications in physical chemistry(chemistry), important publications in physical chemistry(physics)

Literature

• Physical Chemistry, P.W. Atkins, 1978, Oxford University Press ISBN 0-7167-3539-3
• Introduction to Modern Colloid Science, R.J. Hunter, 1993, Oxford University Press ISBN 0198553862
• Principles of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, P.C. Hiemenz, R. Rajagopalan, 1997, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York ISBN 0824793978