Physical Chemist

Physical chemists aim to develop a fundamental understanding at the molecular and atomic level of how materials behave and how chemical reactions occur, knowledge that is relevant in nearly every area of chemistry.

Summary

Physical chemists seek to unravel such varied mysteries as how proteins fold into their active state, how complex nanostructures can be formed and behave, how biomolecular motors work, and how global phenomena such as the stratospheric ozone hole originated. They develop theories about these properties, analyze materials, and discover potential uses for materials.

Physical chemists work extensively with sophisticated instrumentation and equipment as well as state-of-the-art computers. When you walk into a physical chemistry lab, for example, it is bound to be packed with computers and large instruments, including lasers, mass spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, and a variety of microscopes that can see and follow molecules at atomic resolution.

Physical chemists seek to unravel such varied mysteries as how proteins fold into their active state, how complex nanostructures can be formed and behave, how biomolecular motors work, and how global phenomena such as the stratospheric ozone hole originated. They develop theories about these properties, analyze materials, and discover potential uses for materials.

Physical chemists work extensively with sophisticated instrumentation and equipment as well as state-of-the-art computers. When you walk into a physical chemistry lab, for example, it is bound to be packed with computers and large instruments, including lasers, mass spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, and a variety of microscopes that can see and follow molecules at atomic resolution.

 

Educational Requirements

In addition to a solid foundation in chemistry, physical chemists say this career requires strong skills in math and physics. Hands-on courses, such as lab, electronics, and optics courses, are particularly helpful. Also, because the field is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, physical chemists encourage students to take courses outside of their major and develop an understanding of the synergies among the different disciplines. A fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics, kinetics, thermodynamics, and structure is crucial.

 

Salary Information 2023

According to salary.com, the average salary of a Physical Chemist in 2023 was $60,128.

 

Want to know more?

• American Chemical Society-Physical Chemists
• Chron-Physical Chemist
• Physical Chemistry at Purdue

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• American Chemical Society
• Physical Chemistry Division of ACS
• List of Professional Organizations

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Information retrieved from ACS: What is Physical Chemistry and Payscale: Average Physical Chemist Salary.