610-311 Physical Chemistry IIIB

Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 610-310.

Chemistry 610-210 or 610-211. Concurrent enrolment in 610-315 is strongly recommended.

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 characterise excited state properties and understand their significance in processes such as photosynthesis and photodegradation of materials; and understand the solution properties of macromolecules.

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

One 3-hour written examination at the end of semester. Assignments not exceeding 12 pages and tests may constitute up to 10% of the final assessment.