Difference between physics and chemistry

[ehrenfest]

What is the difference between physics and chemistry? How would you explain it to someone who has studied graduate level physics and chemistry but has never heard of the terms "physics" or "chemistry"?

 

[Pengwuino]

What is the difference between physics and chemistry? How would you explain it to someone who has studied graduate level physics and chemistry but has never heard of the terms "physics" or "chemistry"?

...?

 

[Saladsamurai]

...?

I never thought that I would say this, but: Lolz

 

[ehrenfest]

...?

That was a hypothetical situation. Such a person may not exist.

 

[russ_watters]

If I were French, what would my favorite color be?

See, just because something is hypothetical, that doesn't make it answerable, much less sensical.

 

[mbisCool]

Chemistry: The science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, especially of atomic and molecular systems

Physics: The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two, grouped in traditional fields such as acoustics, optics, mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, as well as in modern extensions including atomic and nuclear physics, cryogenics, solid-state physics, particle physics, and plasma physics.

 

[arunma]

How the heck do you study graduate level physics and/or chemistry and not learn those terms (or their equivalents in whatever language you speak)? But hey, I'll bite.

Chemistry is the study of chemical reactions involving valence electrons. Physics is about mathematical descriptions of physical processes involving matter and energy. Physicists calculate stuff and run experiments. Chemists throw stuff together and see what happens.

 

[Cyrus]

How the heck do you study graduate level physics and/or chemistry and not learn those terms (or their equivalents in whatever language you speak)? But hey, I'll bite.

Chemistry is the study of chemical reactions involving valence electrons. Physics is about mathematical descriptions of physical processes involving matter and energy. Physicists calculate stuff and run experiments. Chemists throw stuff together and see what happens.

That was a pretty snobbish discription if I ever heard one.

 

[Blenton]

Chemistry is the study of chemical reactions involving valence electrons. Physics is about mathematical descriptions of physical processes involving matter and energy. Physicists calculate stuff and run experiments. Chemists throw stuff together and see what happens.

Oh boy..

 

[Ygggdrasil]

As a chemist, I would offer this description of chemistry: Chemistry is the study of how atomic and molecular structures are formed and how these structures affect the microscopic and macroscopic properties of matter.

 

[Moonbear]

That was a hypothetical situation. Such a person may not exist.

MAY not? You actually left room for doubt in that statement?

Okay, here would be my answer...go back to their introductory level textbook in each subject, open page one of chapter one, and read the first paragraph. It's usually defined nicely right there. If they are still confused, proceed to the next paragraph, etc.

 

[rootX]

What is the difference between physics and chemistry? How would you explain it to someone who has studied graduate level physics and chemistry but has never heard of the terms "physics" or "chemistry"?

It only makes sense if person is from another country (as of now) where they graduate in their own language.

Then, you just use http://www.google.ca/language_tools?hl=en"...

 

[russ_watters]

If I were a bee, would I still like cheese?

 

[Moonbear]

Maybe this belonged in this thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=68

 

[octelcogopod]

I'm still confused about the difference

 

[Moonbear]

I'm still confused about the difference

Oh, it's easy. Physicists smash atoms together to see what happens when they break apart. Chemists smash atoms together to see what happens when they stick together.

 

[cristo]

If I were a bee, would I still like cheese?

If I were a mentor and a thread was opened on a ridiculous, unanswerable question, what would I do?

Oh wait.. that question's not hypothetical