| Themes > Science > Chemistry > About Chemistry Generalities > Branches Chemistry > Electrochemistry |
Electrochemistry is the study of the movement and separation of charge in matter. As such, it is the study of the transfer of electrons. For it is the presence, absence and movement of these wonderful, little, negatively-charged quanta that provide matter with the ability to hold or transfer charge. Most chemical reactions involve charge transfer, and therefore most chemistry, certainly the most interesting chemistry, is electrochemistry. (And, naturally I am a disinterested observer, right?) It is a curious and wonderful thing that matter may hold charge, either positive or negative. The charge can be discrete and measureable or partial and diffuse. The statement that opposites attract either emerged from our understanding of electromagnetism or was an intuitive statement of the phenomenon. Thus, it is also intriguing that charged matter can maintain separations leading to interesting effects. Electrochemistry is the study of these phenomenon and their relationship to chemical systems. Electrochemistry has brought us batteries, semiconductors, photovoltaics, medical sensors, PVC, metal plating, anti-corrosion technology , and a better understanding of biochemical systems. |
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