Re: Does chemical physics study the same thing that chemistry

Hello Ivan,

Well, it's a good question. You might say that physicists use the phrase "chemical physics", whereas chemists use the phrase "physical chemistry", for the same thing!

Here are some definitions from the Concise Oxford English Dictionary:
Chemistry: The study of the elements and the compounds they form, and the reactions they undergo.
Physics:The science dealing with the properties and interactions of matter and energy.

I did a Google search using "what is chemical physics?" This page discusses the difference between physical chemistry and chemical physics using lots of big words, but concludes that it's difficult to say how they are different. And this university page also tries to define chemical physics.

What you will find as you study further is that there are no clear boundaries between subjects. Let's say you are looking at photosynthesis in plants. This is a chemical process in which carbon dioxide and water combine and sugar and oxygen are produced. It's also a physical process, as light is absorbed. So are you a physicist? Or a chemist? Or a botanist, because you study a plant? Or a biochemist, as the chemistry is in a living organism? Or would you describe yourself as a biologist?

In the end, it doesn't really matter! What matters is that you study the things that interest you and that you enjoy them. So by all means, say you prefer physics and study it, but remember that all knowledge is interlinked. There are really no boundaries or subjects.

Neil