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Although the two natural sciences are similar, there is a clear difference between physics and chemistry. In this article, we’ll explain what that difference is and what the main focuses of each field are.
Here’s the difference between physics and chemistry
To the layperson, the two natural sciences—physics and chemistry—seem very similar at first glance. They are indeed related, but they are not identical.
- Physics is primarily concerned with the forces that exist in nature and the laws that nature follows.
- Since, fundamentally, everything is subject to these laws of nature, chemistry—as a subfield—is also part of physics. However, there are also topics in chemistry that have nothing to do with physics.
- The biggest difference between physics and chemistry is that in physics experiments, the substance being studied does not change its molecular structure.
- The substance in the experiment always remains the same—it can only change its state of matter. This means, for example, that during an experiment, it can change its state from solid to liquid.
- Physics seeks to understand why the matter observed in an experiment behaves the way it does.
Typical Characteristics of Chemistry
Chemistry deals primarily with the substances found in the environment and throughout the universe.
- Each of these substances has its own specific molecular structure, which determines the substance’s properties.
- One of the goals of chemistry is therefore to describe matter and its properties in detail.
- When two different substances come together in an experiment, this leads to a chemical reaction. As a result, the substance changes its properties.
- In chemistry, the focus is primarily on the various types of bonds between atoms and molecules.
- Chemical experiments also deal with the binding and release of energy.
