610-210 Light, Matter & Chemical Change A

Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 610-211 or 610-215.

One of chemistry 610-141, 610-121 or 610-051 plus one of 610-142, 610-122 or 610-052. 100-level mathematics and 100-level physics are recommended.

Upon completion of 610-210, students should have an appreciation for the rates and mechanisms of enzyme catalysed reactions and environmentally significant atmospheric processes; understand the concepts of entropy and free energy and their application to chemical and biological systems; understand the interactions between molecules and light and the use of light in the determination of molecular structure; and have developed experimental skills in the operation of instrumentation for the acquisition of physical data, as well as observational and critical analysis skills for the interpretation and presentation of data.

The subject covers the dynamics of molecular processes; energy transformation and storage in chemical and biological systems; and the interaction between molecules and light, and its relationship to molecular structure. The practical course will consist of experiments involving physical and instrumental investigations of important chemical systems and phenomena.

Ongoing assessment of practical work in the form of short reports throughout the semester (25%); written assignments and class tests during the semester (10%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (65%). Satisfactory completion of practical work is necessary to pass the subject.

• PW Atkins, Physical Chemistry. 6th edn, OUP, 1998.