Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How is physics different from chemistry?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
physics
As conceived by Daniel Bernoulli in Hydrodynamica (1738), gases consist of numerous particles in rapid random motion. He assumed that the pressure of a gas is produced by the direct impact of the particles on the walls of the container.
The distinction between physics and chemistry is often considered somewhat arbitrary, as both are fundamental branches of physical science that study the material world.12
While they are deeply interconnected, their primary focuses differ:
- Physics is the science of matter, motion, and energy. It seeks to formulate comprehensive, fundamental laws that explain the structure of matter and the interactions between the fundamental constituents of the universe, ranging from subatomic particles to the largest extragalactic scales. Physicists generally focus on general properties shared by all matter.12
- Chemistry deals with the properties, composition, and structure of substances—specifically elements and compounds—and the transformations they undergo. Chemists typically focus on the behavior of atoms and molecules, as well as the energy changes involved in chemical reactions.13
The field of physical chemistry serves as a bridge between these disciplines, applying the principles of physics to explain the quantitative aspects of chemical interactions and transformations.45