Physical Chemistry I
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 1KB309
- Code
- 1KB309
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Chemistry G1F
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 12 April 2017
- Responsible department
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström
Entry requirements
Chemical Principles I/Basic Chemistry 10 credits or Basic Priniciples of Chemistry 15 credits and completed attendance in the course Single-variable analysis. Linear algebra and geometry 5 credits as well as completed attenance in the course Physics for Chemists are recommended.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to:
- explain using relevant principles different types of transport processes in solution and carry out calculations on corresponding properties.
- relate intermolecular forces to properties of liquids and surfactants in the bulk and at interfaces, as well as carry out simple calculations on them.
- apply concepts in reaction kinetics and catalysis to analyse, interpret and carry out calculations on reactions with one or more mechanistic stegs based on mechanistic and kinetics data.
- give an account of and apply fundamental principles and concepts in quantum mechanics and explain what relevance and significace these have within chemistry.
- describe and explain the physico-chemical priniciples underlying common spectroscopic methods, as well as discuss the potentials and limitations of these spectroscopic methods.
- determine different molecular parameters and identify characteristic groupds through interpreting and analysis the spectra of diatomic and simple polyatomic molecules
- carry out and document laboratory work in a correct manner as well as give written/oral accounts of laboratory results .
- give examples of the relevance of the course content for humankind and the environment.
Content
Transport processes: conductivity in electrolyte solutions, diffusion, viscosity, sedimentation and centrifugation
Surface chemistry and intermolecular forces: wetting, surface tension, surfactants, Laplace pressure, amphiphilic molecules, surface films, surface excess, self-assembly and self-associating systems, Born energy.
Kinetics: reaction rate, order of reaction, reaction mechanisms, steady-state approximation, activation energy, transition state, basic catalysis, experimental methods.
Quatum mechanics: Schrödinger equation, wavefunctions and the probability interpretation. Particle-in-a-box, particle-on-a-ring, harmonic oscillator. Angular momentum and spin. Hydrogen-like atom. Atomic orbitals. Molecular orbitals.
Spectroscopy: absorption and emission of radiation. Spectrophotometry and spectrometer operation. Absorption and emission spectra. Rotational, vibrational and rotational-vibrational spectroscopy. Normal modes. Electronic transitions and the Franck-Condon principle. Transition probability. Deexcitation pathways. Fluorscence and phosphorescence.
Instruction
Lectures, tutorials, laboratory exercises.
Assessment
Written test at the end of the course (7 credits). In order to receive a pass grade for the course, the laboratory course (3 credits) must also be passed. The final grade is a weighted sum of the results of the theory test and the laboratory exercises.
Other directives
Cannot be counted towards a degree together with Chemical Principles II, Quantum Mechanics, Chemical Bonding and Spectroscopy, 1KB301 Physical Chemistry, 1KB307 Physical Chemistry I or 1KB308 Physical Chemistry.