CH2P1: Further Physical Chemistry

Module Provider:

Chemistry, School of Chem, FoodBi and Pharm

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn and Summer

Module Convenor:

Professor IW Hamley

Pre-requisites:

CH1P1

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

CH2P2

Module version for:

2007/8

Aims:
The aim of this module is to further students' understanding of key aspects of physical chemistry related to equilibrium and structure, and to show their application in one practical area of chemistry.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students should be able to:

Additional outcomes:
The students should improve their team-working skills through practicals, numeracy through problem solving, and oral and presentational skills through tutorials.

Outline content:
G Marston (5) Symmetry
Symmetry elements and operations. Chirality. Point groups. Character tables: characters, representations, irreducible representations, symmetry species. Symmetry species of molecular vibrations and orbitals. Electric dipoles.
J M Elliott (5) Electrochemistry
Aqueous electrolyte solutions: activity coefficients and Debye Huckel theory. Electrochemical cells. Thermodynamic parameters from emf measurements. pH and potentiometric titrations.
D Johnson (5) Spectroscopy
Born-Oppenheimer approximation; Rotation spectroscopy, Vibration Spectroscopy and Vibration-Rotation Spectroscopy, of diatomic molecules; Absorption and Raman scattering measurements; Selection rules; Morse potential energy curves; Vibration spectroscopy of polyatomic molecules
I W Hamley (5) Inside Atoms: Quantum Mechanics
The Schrödinger equation. Solutions for simple systems: particle in a box, free particle, rigid rotor, simple harmonic oscillator. The hydrogen atom.
D Johnson(5) Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry
Physical state/structure of the troposphere and stratosphere – pressure (hydrostatic balance), temperature (thermal equilibrium and the natural greenhouse effect, lapse rates) and static stability; General features of natural (and perturbed) tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry.
A M Squires (5) Kinetics
Multi-step kinetics: Steady-state approximation; Chain reactions - steady-state; Hydrogen/bromine; Branched chain reactions; Explosions; Hydrogen/oxygen. Techniques in Chemical Kinetic analysis: Stopped and Continuous Flow; Flash Photolysis; Lasers.
I W Hamley(5) Surface and Interface Physical Chemistry
Surface and Interfacial tension, surfactancy, Gibbs adsorption isotherm, micellization and surface activity, critical micelle concentration as equilibrium, considering associated thermodynamics, lyotropic liquid crystal phases of surfactants.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Approximately three one-hour lectures per week with roughly one tutorial or workshop on related material every two weeks. Students attend five eight-hour practical sessions over the duration of the module.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Students attend tutorials and workshops on the material covered in this module. Attendance is compulsory at both. Both tutorial work and workshop problems form the basis of the open-book examination held at the end of the autumn term. Practical work is assessed both through work in the laboratory and the resultant reports.
Relative percentage of coursework: Practical work 30%
Penalties for late submission
In accordance with University policy 10% of the total marks available will be deducted from practical work which is submitted up to 1 week late. Work submitted later than this will receive no credit unless there are extenuating circumstances. For students on chemistry-based degree courses any unexplained absence from more than two tutorials in chemistry will automatically incur a formal warning from the School Director of Teaching and Learning.
Examinations
One two-hour written paper during the Part 2 examination period. 50%
One one-hour open book examination based on tutorial and workshop material at the end of the autumn term 20%
Requirements for a pass in this module
A mark of 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September for the examined component.