610-311 Physical Chemistry

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Objectives:

On completion of 610-311 the student should:

• understand the principles of statistical mechanics, their relationship to classical thermodynamics and appreciate their application in describing chemical systems;

• understand the concepts of equilibrium electrochemistry and the principles controlling the rates of electrode processes;

• be able to quantitatively describe the role of surfaces in a variety of important chemical phenomena and to use models to describe micelle formation from surfactants;

• understand the range of techniques for the production of atomic and free radical species and the kinetic aspects of abstraction, addition and branched chain reactions;

• appreciate the principles of molecular spectroscopy, spectral interpretation and laser action;

• be able to quantitatively characterise excited state properties and understand their significance in processes such as photosynthesis and photodegradation of materials;

• understand the solution properties of macromolecules;

• have developed skills in experimental techniques and instrumental methods of physical chemistry.

Content:

Statistical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, surface chemistry, unstable species, spectroscopy, photophysics, macromolecules.

Assessment: