the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions

relating to physical chemistry

(chemistry) a surface forming a common boundary between two things (two objects or liquids or chemical phases)

(physical chemistry) the pressure exerted by a solution necessary to prevent osmosis into that solution when it is separated from the pure solvent by a semipermeable membrane

(physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system; matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary

(physical chemistry) a fourth state of matter distinct from solid or liquid or gas and present in stars and fusion reactors; a gas becomes a plasma when it is heated until the atoms lose all their electrons, leaving a highly electrified collection of nuclei and free electrons

(physical chemistry) a sample of matter in which substances in different phases are in equilibrium