Overview of Physical and Analytical Chemistry (Chem 205)

**Overview of Physical and analytical Chemistry ( Chem 205)** **Physical chemistry** The study of how molecules and atoms behave in matter, as well as how chemical reactions take place, is known as physical chemistry. Physical chemists may create new hypotheses, such as how complex structures aris...

**Overview of Physical and analytical Chemistry ( Chem 205)** **Physical chemistry** The study of how molecules and atoms behave in matter, as well as how chemical reactions take place, is known as physical chemistry. Physical chemists may create new hypotheses, such as how complex structures arise, based on their analysis. When investigating and creating possible applications for novel materials, physical chemists and materials scientists frequently collaborate closely. Understanding the physical characteristics of atoms and molecules, how chemical reactions occur, and what these characteristics indicate are the main goals of physical chemists. Their work entails material analysis, the creation of testing and characterization protocols, the formulation of material characteristics theories, and the identification of the materials\' possible applications. A key component of physical chemistry has always been the use of advanced instruments and apparatus. In physical chemistry labs, the majority of the Analytical tools such as electron microscopes, mass spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance, and lasers are common in most physical chemistry labs. **Analytical chemistry** is the study of gathering, analyzing, and disseminating data regarding the make-up and structure of matter. Stated differently, it is the science and art of identifying matter and its quantity.\ Applications for analytical chemistry can be found in the fields of materials science, forensic science, bioanalysis, clinical analysis, and environmental analysis. Performance (sensitivity, detection limit, selectivity, robustness, dynamic range, linear range, accuracy, precision, and speed) and cost (buying, operation, training, time, and space) are the main driving forces behind analytical chemistry research. Optical and mass spectrometry are the two most common and versatile subfields of modern analytical atomic spectrometry. **In summary, Analytical chemistry** is the science of identification and quantification of materials in a mixture. \... **Physical chemistry** is the study of the fundamental **physical** principles that govern the way atoms, molecules, and other **chemical** systems behave. Common Analytical Problems Many problems in analytical chemistry begin with the need to identify what is present in a sample. This is the scope of a **qualitative analysis,** examples of which include identifying the products of a chemical reaction, screening an athlete's urine for the presence of a performance-enhancing drug, or determining the spatial distribution of Pb on the surface of an airborne particulate. Much of the early work in analytical chemistry involved the development of simple chemical tests to identify inorganic ions and organic functional groups. The classical laboratory courses in inorganic and organic qualitative analysis, still taught at some schools, are based on this work. Currently, most qualitative analyses use methods such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Perhaps the most common analytical problem is a **quantitative analysis**. Examples of typical quantitative analyses include the elemental analysis of a newly synthesized compound, measuring the concentration of glucose in blood, or determining the difference between the bulk and surface concentrations of Cr in steel. Much of the analytical work in clinical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and industrial labs involves developing new quantitative methods for trace amounts of chemical species in complex samples. Another important area of analytical chemistry is the development of new methods for characterizing physical and chemical properties. Determinations of chemical structure, equilibrium constants, particle size, and surface structure are examples of a **characterization analysis.** The purpose of a qualitative, quantitative, or characterization analysis is to solve a problem associated with a particular sample. The purpose of a **fundamental analysis,** on the other hand, is to improve our understanding of the theory behind an analytical method. Extending and improving the theory on which an analytical method is based, studying an analytical method's limitations, and designing and modifying existing analytical method are examples of fundamental studies in analytical chemistry. Analytical chemists work to improve the ability of all chemists to make meaningful measurements. Chemists working in the other traditional areas of chemistry, as well as in interdisciplinary fields such as medicinal chemistry, clinical chemistry, and environmental chemistry, need better tools for analyzing materials. The need to work with smaller samples, with more complex materials, with processes occurring on shorter time scales, and with species present at lower concentrations challenges analytical chemists to improve existing analytical methods and to develop new ones. Typical problems on which analytical chemists work include qualitative analyses (What is present?), quantitative analyses (How much is present?), characterization analyses (What are the sample's chemical and physical properties?), and fundamental analyses (How does this method work and how can it be improved?). For each of the following problems indicate whether its solution **requires a qualitative analysis QLA, a quantitative analysis (QTA), a characterization analysis (CZA), or a fundamental analysis (FNA)**. More than one type of analysis may be appropriate for some problems. \(a) The amount of water in a sachet water is seems to be less than the label claim. \(b) A case about intellectual property right infringement. \(c) Airport security needs a more reliable method for detecting the presence of substance of abuse in luggage. \(d) The reservoir water contain high chlorine level. \(e) A new means of communication device is needed for the presidential motorcade. \(f) An attempt to identify and described a new element that was discovered. **What are analytical and problem solving skills?** **Analytical skills** *The ability to examine information or a situation in detail in order to identify key or important elements, their strengths and weaknesses and use these to compile a persuasive argument, make recommendations or solve a problem.* The ability to think analytically is an important element of problem solving as well as helping with the recall and appropriate use of information and knowledge. **Problem solving** *The ability to define or identify the problem, generate alternatives or potential solutions, evaluate and choose between these and implement the chosen solution. * **Physical and analytical chemistry problem solving flowchart** Fig. 1Flow diagram showing one view of the analytical approach to solving problems (modified after Atkinson.7c Read the article Determination of Cadmium, Chromium and Lead from Industrial Wastewater in Kombolcha Town, Ethiopia Using FAAS Beshir Lega Muhammd\* Published date: June 14, 201 Abstract Abstract Industrial effluents discharged into the environment can cause a serious threat to agricultural products and health. In view of this, levels of some heavy metals, Cd, Cr and Pb were determined in wastewater samples collected from BGI brewery, textile, and tannery industry in Kombolcha town using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Based on the finding the average concentration at the point of discharge before treatment of their wastewaters for Cd is: 0.05 ± 0.002, 0.18 ± 0.006, 0.12 ± 0.003, for Cr is: 0.01 ± 0.002, 0.29 ± 0.003, 5.04 ± 0.110 and for Pb is: 0.15 ± 0.012, 1.97 ± 0.026 and 0.34 ± 0.012 respectively. On the other hand, the concentration at the point of discharge after treatment of their wastewaters for Cd is: 0.06 ± 0.004, 0.13 ± 0.003, 0.08 ± 0.003, for Cr is: 0.02 ± 0.001, 0.19 ± 0.002, 3.76 ± 0.018 and for Pb is: 0.11 ± 0.007, 1.53 ± 0.008 and 0.22 ± 0.014 respectively. The results obtained show that the mean values of all heavy metals in untreated wastewater samples (except Cd and Cr in BGI brewery) were significantly higher than the treated effluent As you read the article, pay particular attention to how it emulates the analytical approach. It might be helpful to consider the following questions: 1. What is the analytical problem and why is it important? 2. What criteria did the authors consider in designing their experiments? 3. What is the basic experimental procedure? 4. What interferences were considered and how did they overcome them? 5. How did the authors derive the LOQ and LOD? 6. How did the authors validate their experimental method? 7. Is there evidence of repeating steps 2, 3, and 4? 8. Was there a successful conclusion to the problem?