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January 6, 2009

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Physical Chemistry Web Pages!

This site provides course specific content for Chemistry courses 341, 342, 343, and 344. Also, this page provides some answers to the questions "What? Why? and How?" Also, see our webpages highlighting the "Research Rich" changes we are making the physical chemistry curriculum through the generous funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF-CCLI: 0127116) and matching support from PLU!

What is Physical Chemistry?

Physical chemistry is comprised of the following branches of science:

  • Thermodynamics
  • Kinetics
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Spectroscopy
  • Statistical Mechanics

Why Study Physical Chemistry? 

Physical chemistry seeks to explain both macroscopic concepts such as pressure, work, heat as well as microscopic concepts like atomic bonding or resonance.  For example, physical chemistry seeks to interpret physical phenomena like mixing, diffraction, and the adsorption of drugs by the body at the atomic and molecular level.  

How does Physical Chemistry Connect with our Lives?

Physical chemists work on a diverse set of problems.  Here are a few interesting topics with strong physical chemistry components:

  • Drug Design
  • High Performance Polymers
  • Air Pollution
  • Lasers
  • Molecular Motors
  • Nanotechnology
 
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