610-210 Physical Chemistry IIA

Note

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

One of Chemistry 610-141 or 610-161 AND one of 610-142 or 610-162. 100-level Mathematics and 100-level Physics are recommended.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Upon completion of 610-210 students should: understand and be able to apply the laws of thermodynamics and to make appropriate use of the concepts of entropy and free energy in both chemical and biological systems; understand the relationship between molecular spectra and structure and be able to use spectroscopic data to derive qualitative molecular information; be able to interpret from experimental data the rate expressions for reactions, including enzyme catalysed reactions; be able to establish reaction mechanisms from reaction order; have developed experimental, observational and report writing skills.

In the practical component students should have developed experimental skills in the operation of instrumentation for the acquisition of physical data, as well as observational skills and critical analysis skills for the interpretation of data and a proficiency in report writing.

The subject covers the topics: thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy.

The practical course will consist of a number of experiments involving physical and instrumental investigations of important chemical systems and phenomena.

Assessment

One 2-hour written examination at the end of semester and assignments not exceeding six pages. Practical work will be continuously assessed in the form of short reports. Practical work must be completed satisfactorily before credit can be granted for the subject.

Prescribed Texts

• Atkins P. W, Physical Chemistry. (5th ed., OUP 1994).