2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CHEM2350 Foundations of Physical Chemistry
20 creditsClass Size: 200
Module manager: Dr G D Reid
Email: G.D.Reid@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
Pre-requisite qualifications
Level 1 in Chemistry or equivalentModule replaces
CHEM2130 Chemical and Statistical ThermodynamicsCHEM2140 Reaction KineticsThis module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module students should be able to:- demonstrate an understanding of both the possibilities for and the rates of chemical and physical change, and of the quantum mechanical, thermodynamic and kinetic concepts that are most relevant for chemists;
- understand the role of quantum mechanics in chemistry and how energy is stored and distributed in atoms and molecules;
- understand the relationship between kinetics and thermodynamics;
- analyse the kinetics of elementary and complex reactions and use kinetic information to understand the mechanisms of chemical reactions;
- understand the use of chemical potential as a general criterion for phase and chemical equilibrium and be able to calculate the composition of equilibrium mixtures under ideal and non-ideal thermodynamic conditions.
Syllabus
Motion in several dimensions (translational, rotational, electronic). Observables and uncertainty. Techniques of approximation. Motion of atoms/molecules and their electrons and nuclei. Atomic/molecular states and chemical bonding. Storage and distribution of energy between molecular states. Transitions between molecular states.
Theories of bimolecular reactions, Reactions in Solution, Experimental kinetic methods, Complex Reactions.
The chemical potential and the criteria for chemical and phase equilibria. Ideal and non-ideal systems, activity coefficients, solutes and solvent conventions. Chemical equilibrium, calculation of yields. Phase equilibrium, Clausius-Clapeyron. Colligative properties, osmotic pressure.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Example Class | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Lecture | 40 | 1.00 | 40.00 |
| Tutorial | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Private study hours | 135.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 65.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
80 hours - reading (2 hours per lecture)20 hours - computer-based learning
15 hours - tutorial preparation
20 hours - preparation for the examination
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Assessed work for tutorials.- Feedback from computer-based learning assignments.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Tutorial Performance | Assessed tutorial work | 15.00 |
| Computer Exercise | Computer based learning exercises | 15.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 30 mins | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70.00 | |
August Resit - 1 x 3 hour paper
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 30/07/2015
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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