Physical chemistry is the branch of chemistry which deals with the physical foundations of chemical substances and processes. Thus, for example, physicial chemists strive to understand the physical mechanisms underlying chemical reactions. It us important to note that research in physical chemistry depends on the development of new techniques and instruments.

Physical chemistry is generally divided into a variety of branches, including chemical physics (the study of the chemical propereties of atoms and molecules) and theoretical chemistry (the mathematical interpretation of quantum and thermodynamic processes).

Essentially, the physical chemist studies matter—its changes, structure, and chemical equilibrium.

Matter can undergo two types of changes, chemical and physical. A chemical change occurs when a substance reacts chemically to form a new substance. An example of this kind of change is combustion. Thus, when wood, a compound composed of mainly carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O...