Physical chemistry

Physical Chemistry is the combined science of physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics which functions to provide molecular-level interpretations of observed macroscopic phenomena. Typically, changes in temperature, pressure, volume, heat, and work of systems in the solid, liquid, and or gas phase are correlated to microscopic atomic and molecular interactions. Most cite Willard Gibbs as the founder of physical chemistry as stemming from his 1876 paper: ?On the Equilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances?, wherein such cornerstones as free energy, chemical potential, and phase rule were developed.

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
• Physical Chemistry, W.J. Moore, 1963 (4th Edition), Longmans, London/Prentice Hall, NJ, ISBN ????