The term physical comes from physics. Quite generally, physics is the science involved with the description of the structure, kinematics and dynamics of inanimate matter, in a broad sense, ranging from the microscopic scale of elementary particles to the macroscopic scale of the universe.

Chemistry is, in the same spirit, the science of transformation of inanimate matter.

Today we know that matter is composed of atoms and molecules. We are capable of measuring the masses, dimensions and lifetimes of atoms and molecules in very specific states. The concepts and methods used to gain this knowledge are physical. We understand thus the transformation of matter, at the microscopic level, as a rearrangement of atoms and molecules in space. While the methods are physical, the object, on which they are applied, is Chemistry.

Similarly, when we measure, for instance, the variation of temperature during a chemical reaction, we study the transformation of matter at the macroscopic level using physical concepts and methods – that is Physical Chemistry.

Biology is the science of animate matter. Biophysical Chemistry could thus be understood as the science involved with the description of the complex transformation of animate matter at the microscopic level with underlying physical concepts and methods.

The following are examples of what physical chemistry and biophysical chemistry address.

• The energy exchanged during a chemical reaction.

•  How fast a chemical reaction takes place.

•  The structure and dynamics of molecules.

•  Finding new routes to run chemical reactions more efficiently with less waste.

•  Finding new materials that are more robust, lighter, more thermal insulating and energy efficient.

•  Development of efficient solar cells.

•  Understanding the folding of proteins, the identification of the genome, the functionality of amino acids.

•  Transformation of matter in complex systems such as cells, proteins or large polypeptides.

•  The rates of enzyme catalyzed biochemical reactions.