CHEM 401:402
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
- Catalog Entry
CHEM 401:402. Physical Chemistry
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisites: CHEM 102 and either MATH 161 (Calculus) with a grade of "C" or better or MATH 151 and 152 with at least a "C" average.
Corequisite: MATH 153 or 162.
A study of chemical kinetics, properties of matter, and the laws of thermodynamics, with emphasis on quantitative problem solving and analysis of experimental data.
- Detailed Description of Content of the Course
The major topics covered in this course (and in Chemistry 402) are those considered to represent the foundations of modern physical chemistry. These topics, with various degrees of emphasis, are common to all recent textbooks written for a two-semester introductory course in physical chemistry. The order of coverage of the topics is essentially the same as suggested in the textbooks except that chemical kinetics is covered before thermodynamics. Students have already been exposed to quantitative problem solving in CHEM 201 - Quantitative Analysis, but CHEM 401 represent their first opportunity to use calculus in a mathematics-intensive course. The laboratory portion of the course emphasizes the analysis of experimental data and the presentation of results in technical reports.
The following topics are covered in the order given:
1. Chemical Kinetics: rate laws, mechanisms, catalysis
2. Equations of state for real gases
3. Kinetic theory of gases
4. PVT behavior in condensed phases
5. First Law of Thermodynamics, thermochemistry
6. Second Law of Thermodynamics, free energy, Maxwell relationships
7. Third Law of Thermodynamics
The first laboratory experiment deals with statistical analysis of experimental data; the remaining experiments involve kinetics, gas behavior, and thermodynamics.
- Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course
The course emphasizes problem solving. Although the three hours of class each week would have to be categorized as "lecture," about one-third of this class is devoted to solving problems which illustrate the principles being studied. A major goal is to provide an environment in which each student can develop an effective means of identifying, analyzing, and attacking problems. Grading of a test problem is about ninety percent for a correct method and ten percent for the correct final answer.
Homework problems from the textbook are assigned, and the students are expected to spend a substantial amount of time solving these problems. Success on the tests and exam is directly related to the amount of effort made in the solution and understanding of homework problems. Problems often require calculus and a major goal of the course is for the student to understand how to apply calculus to the solution of chemistry problems. Derivations using calculus are often performed during class time to illustrate how important working equations result from basic principles.
Students work in groups of three in the laboratory, and the calculation of results from experimental data is usually a group effort. The informal report of abstract required for each experiment is an individual effort of each student. Grading of these reports is based about one-half on experimental results and one-half on quality of the written material.
- Goals and Objectives of the Course
After successful completion of the two-semester physical chemistry sequence, the student will be able to:
1. to understand the basic principles of that vast body of knowledge known as physical chemistry
2. to appreciate how working equations used in this course and in previous chemistry courses can be derived from basic principles
3. attack chemical problems in a logical manner utilizing calculus when appropriate 4. to utilize experimental techniques whereby chemical and physical data can be obtained, analyze data logically, and present experimental results in technical reports.
- Assessment Measures
Assessment of the student's success in the course is based on the grades for three tests, the final exam, assigned homework problems, laboratory reports, and weekly quizzes. The weekly quizzes are announced and cover the previous week's work. The tests, exam, quizzes, and homework are used to assess student outcomes 1., 2., and 3. from part D. Laboratory performance reports are used to assess outcome D.4.
- Other Course Information
None
- Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
September 2001 Reviewed by Walter S. Jaronski, Chair |