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The relationship between chemistry and physics is a topic of debate in the philosophy of science. The issue is a complicated one, since both physics and chemistry are divided into multiple subfields, each with their own goals. A major theme is whether, and in what sense, chemistry can be said to "reduce" to physics.[1][2]
Background
Although physics and chemistry are branches of science that both study matter, they differ in the scopes of their respective subjects. While physics focuses on phenomena such as force, motion, electromagnetism, elementary particles, and spacetime,[3] chemistry is concerned mainly with the structure and reactions of atoms and molecules, but does not necessarily deal with non-baryonic matter. [4] However, the two disciplines overlap in subjects concerning the behaviour of fluids, the thermodynamics of chemical reactions, the magnetic forces between atoms and molecules, and quantum chemistry. Moreover, the laws of chemistry highly depend on the laws of quantum mechanics.[5]
References
- ^ Seifert, Vanessa A. "Reduction and Emergence in Chemistry". Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- ^ Weisberg, Michael; Needham, Paul; Hendry, Robin (2019-01-16). "Philosophy of Chemistry". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- ^ "Physics – Definition, Types, Topics, Importance, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ^ "Chemistry – Definition, Topics, Types, History, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ^ Bunge, Mario (1982). "Is Chemistry a Branch of Physics?". Zeitschrift für allgemeine Wissenschaftstheorie / Journal for General Philosophy of Science. 13 (2): 209–223.
