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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 15:53:55
I looked up organic chemistry out of curiosity because of Deneb's post, and I realized I don't understand the difference between chemistry and physics. Here's the definitions:
"Chemistry is the science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions."
"Physics is the science that seeks to understand very basic concepts such as force, energy, mass, and charge."
I've always wanted to understand this stuff, especially when I read scifi books. But I feel like I just can't wrap my brain around it. Am I the only one who finds it so difficult? Does anybody know how to explain it in simple terms?
-T
Posted by caraher on November 8, 2008, at 17:30:38
In reply to What's the difference between chemistry + physics?, posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 15:53:55
I'm a physicist, and I tend to think about this kind of thing hierarchically. The boundaries can blur between fields. I think chemistry is easier to define, so I'll do that first.
Chemistry is all about interactions between atoms and molecules. Organic chemistry is a chemistry subfield concerned with molecules containing carbon atoms.
Physics can include study of atoms and molecules, but goes beyond that to formulate more general laws about the behavior of matter and energy. Chemistry is largely confined to consideration of a range of distances and energies pertinent to how atoms rearrange themselves in molecules; physicists study all extremes of nature.
The existence of the chemistry subfield known as physical chemistry probably best sums up the relationship between the disciplines. Physical chemistry is the effort to apply the laws of physics to explain chemical processes at the most fundamental level. Physical chemists are ribbed for not being "real chemists" by some of their colleagues; they can be teased as being physicists who somehow wound up in the wrong department.
Most chemists are what I think of atomic engineers. Synthetic chemists work with all the ways to create molecules; they are master chefs of the atomic world. Analytical chemists are wizards of measurement. Both use physics in the work, but mostly as an instrument. By contrast, the physical chemist tries to bridge any gaps between how their colleagues understand formation of molecules, etc. and the basic principles physicists develop.
My apologies to any chemists who feel this is overly simplistic; I know it is. But I'm just trying to point out contrasts...
Posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 18:10:39
In reply to Re: What's the difference between chemistry + phys, posted by caraher on November 8, 2008, at 17:30:38
> My apologies to any chemists who feel this is overly simplistic; I know it is. But I'm just trying to point out contrasts...
I very much appreciate you breaking it down into more simplistic terms for me! I can't say I understand it completely, but I at least have a beginning to understanding it. Plus you made me feel better by saying that the boundaries between fields can blur, because I thought it seemed that way, but didn't know if it was because it was just beyond my understanding or what.
I have a lot of respect for people like you and Deneb (i.e. physicists, chemists, scientists, super smart people?). I would love to hang out with people like you and have you 'attempt' to explain things like quantum foam, the string theory, buckyballs, and all that stuff to me. Of course, that might not be as fun for you as for me! You'd probably be like, okay, its been 3 hours, go watch Star Trek or something! ;-)
-T
Posted by llurpsienoodle on November 8, 2008, at 21:29:29
In reply to Re: What's the difference between chemistry + phys, posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 18:10:39
Hi Tex,
There's a cool book called "The Dancing Wu Li Masters" that's about quantum physics. It's from the 1980's but it's written in a very fun, quirky, way, that actually made it a page turner. It's pre-string-theory, but still very useful for getting your head around some of the major themes in physics.I'm sure it's in your public library, if you don't feel like adding to your personal collection of quantum physics literature during this economic downturn.
-Ll
Posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 21:33:20
In reply to Re: What's the difference between chemistry + phys » TexasChic, posted by llurpsienoodle on November 8, 2008, at 21:29:29
Thanks lurpsie! I'll check that out!
-T
Posted by Quintal on November 9, 2008, at 11:33:15
In reply to What's the difference between chemistry + physics?, posted by TexasChic on November 8, 2008, at 15:53:55
I remember that physics involves a lot of maths. It was my second favorite subject, but I always loved chemistry. Physics is about explaining the way universe works, and chemistry is all about what atoms and molecules do. I think they were taught as a single subject to start with when I was at school. I went on to do both at college and managed to pass the first year of physics, but mostly because I had a good teacher. She was very kind and spent a lot of time going over things with me outside class. I wish I could have gone back and done the final year, but I found out she retired earlier this year and I wouldn't have the confidence to attempt it with someone else.
I liked Candace B. Pert's "The Molecules of Emotion". She has a way of making science seem fun, and still has child-like wonder at the way the universe works. She also has a lot to say about the progress of women in what is still quite a closed and male dominated field. A lot of science (a bit like medicince) is written in jargon that makes it diffcult for outsiders to understand. Half the battle is understanding that the ideas behind it are really quite simple once you've cracked the code. I guess you have to have a burning curiosty and a good teacher to keep on going with this if the subject doesn't come naturally to you.
Q
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