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M@Man · 2005-01-31 21:54:06

Where does one draw the line between physics and chemistry?

I have gotten into vehemnt arguments with some of my chemist friends about whether certain areas of atomic and molecular science fall under the realm of physics or chemistry. Even in some professional lectures I've attended, chemists have asserted dominance over areas that any physicist would readily claim as their own territory. So where do we draw the line?

Fundamental particles - Certainly physics
Nuclear physics - Certainly physics
Atomic properties - Quantum Chemistry or Quantum Physics?
Formation of molecules - Chemistry or Hartree-Fock Quantum Physics?
Chemical reactions - Most would say chemistry, but isn't it physics too?
Macromolecules - Again, Chemistry or Hartree-Fock?
Solid State - Pretty certainly physics, but some chemists would disagree

In my opinion, there is no such thing as chemistry. I say this partly jokingly and partly seriously. Physics, is, in essence, the study of how the universe works. That encompasses literally everything. "Chemistry" is just a particular area of physics, and the study of chemistry vesrus the study of quantum physics is characterized by a lack of math and a lack of understanding. When you get to upper level chemistry, you are solving the Schrodinger Equation and solving self-consistent field equations - which sounds a lot like physics to me.

So what do you think? What is physics versus chemistry?

Martin · 2005-02-01 21:54:03

For a (I assume ) tongue-in-cheek take on this, see Chris’s signature.

Physics is the study of matter and energy in the broadest sense. (The word “physics” itself has its roots in the Greek words “natural” and “nature”—as in “natural laws” or the “laws of nature.”) In this context, chemistry, as well as each of the other natural sciences, is a subset, or specialty area, of physics. Thus, one could legitimately say that chemistry and the other natural sciences each is an example of applied physics. (Note that since mathematics is the language of physics, one also could argue that physics is an example of applied mathematics.)

When you say that “the study of chemistry versus the study of quantum physics is characterized by a lack of math and a lack of understanding,” you are making a broad-brush statement that denigrates the science of chemistry and its practitioners. I’m willing to bet that there are areas of chemistry (as there are areas within any of the other areas of “applied physics”) that most physicists would be hard-pressed to tackle. Knowing (or not knowing) how to solve the Schrödinger Equation and self-consistent field equations certainly didn’t help Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko, and Irwin Rose win their 2004 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, though I’m sure it was an important ingredient in the basic training of David J. Gross, H. David Politzer, and Frank Wilczeck that enabled that trio win theirs for Physics.

Chris · 2005-03-04 02:09:01

Martin wrote:
For a (I assume ) tongue-in-cheek take on this, see Chris’s signature.

Putting your tounge in your cheek usually results in a bitten tongue.

Martin · 2005-03-05 06:27:30

Chris wrote:
Martin wrote:
For a (I assume ) tongue-in-cheek take on this, see Chris’s signature.
Putting your tounge in your cheek usually results in a bitten tongue.

A biting remark, or simply something to chew on?

drowsy turtle · 2006-08-13 01:23:18

the way i think of it is: physics is forces and energy part of it, chemistry is the rest: the forces which hold atoms / molecules together is rely physics, whereas the subatomic particals and their properties are chemistry, but u will get them both taught in chemistry and both in physics, as they don't like each other lol

drowsy turtle · 2007-06-09 00:27:39

besides, there is no line between the two - they overlap so much that in exams you can forget which subject the exam is for!

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#1 2005-01-31 21:54:06

Is it physics or chemistry?

#2 2005-02-01 21:54:03

Re: Is it physics or chemistry?

#3 2005-03-04 02:09:01

Re: Is it physics or chemistry?

Martin wrote:

#4 2005-03-05 06:27:30

Re: Is it physics or chemistry?

Chris wrote:

Martin wrote:

#5 2006-08-13 01:23:18

Re: Is it physics or chemistry?

#6 2007-06-09 00:27:39

Re: Is it physics or chemistry?

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