610-311 Physical Chemistry III B

Note

Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 610-310 or Pre 1998: 610-313.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Chemistry (610-210 or 610-211) and 610-215 (Pre 1998: 610-210 or 610-211).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Upon completion of 610-311 students 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 characterize excited state properties and understand their significance in processes such as photosynthesis and photodegradation of materials;
• understand the solution properties of macromolecules.

The subject covers the topics: surface chemistry, electrochemistry, photochemistry, reactions of unstable species, statistical thermodynamics, macromolecules.

Assessment

One 3-hour and one 2-hour written examination at the end of Semester 1. Assignments not exceeding 12 pages. Practical work will be continuously assessed in the form of short reports. Satisfactory completion of the practical work is necessary before credit can be granted for this subject.