Chemical physics 733929 183674172 2008-01-11T18:23:45Z Burubuz 6084067 '''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. 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: * Can we experimentally test quantum mechanical predictions of the vibrations and rotations of simple molecules? *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]]) after absorbing [[photon]]s of [[light]]? * How do chemical reactions really take place? * What is the step-by-step process that occurs when an isolated molecule 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? == Related fields == * [[Physical chemistry]] * [[Molecular dynamics]] * [[Quantum chemistry]] * [[Solid state physics]] * [[Spectroscopy]] * [[Intermolecular forces]] * [[Surface chemistry]] * [[Van der Waals complexes]] [[Category:Chemical physics| ]] [[de:Chemische Physik]] [[ja:化学物理学]] [[pl:Fizyka chemiczna]] [[ru:Химическая физика]]