CH1PH1-Physical Processes and Molecular Organisation

Module Provider: Chemistry, School of Chem, FoodBi and Pharm
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Spring and Summer
Module Convenor: Professor IW Hamley
Pre-requisites: A level Chemistry, or equivalent
Co-requisites: CH1IN1 CH1OR1 CH1PRA
Modules excluded: CH1FC1 orCH1FC2 orCH1PH2
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: i.w.hamley@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of Physical Chemistry which will also act as a foundation for the remainder of the course. . It also aims to give students the basic tools for report writing in chemistry.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students should be able to assess quantitatively basic thermodynamic and kinetic data; and describe basic concepts. They should understand what dictates the physical properties of matter and how basic molecular properties can be determined experimentally. Students should be able to use basic software packages in report writing, including Chem Draw to produce chemical structures.

Additional outcomes:
Work in this module will lead to improved numeracy and descriptive abilities. Students should appreciate the advantages of using the correct software for a specific purpose.

Outline content:
J M Elliott (6 lectures) - Chemistry in the Balance - Equilibrium.
The importance of equilibrium in chemistry and life. Equilibrium law; dynamic nature; gaseous and solution equilibria; acid-base equilibria; heterogeneous equilibria. The effect of temperature and a variety of simple calculations.
A M Squires (6 lectures) - Chemical Kinetics
The rate equation; order, rate constant and integrated rate equations; kinetics and mechanism; Arrhenius equation; more complex reactions and enzymic catalysis
I W Hamley (6 lectures) - What makes Reactions go? Chemistry and Energy.
Forms of energy; enthalpy, Hess's Law, qualitative approach to entropy and free energy, 2nd and 3rd laws of thermodynamics.
G Held (6 lectures) -Molecular Architecture & Spectroscopy: The interaction of light with matter; rotational and vibrational spectroscopy; diffraction.
A M Squires (6 lectures) -Molecular Organisation: Gases, Liquids & Solids. Ideal gas behaviour; interactions between molecules; qualitative discussion of how real gases behave; phase diagrams for one-component systems; Phase Rule; phase diagrams for two miscible liquids: application to distillation and fractional distillation.
IT Skills (12 hours with CH1IN)
Use of Microsoft packages: Excel, Powerpoint and Access and Chem Draw. Use of spreadsheets for solving problems graphically, e.g. using the Rydberg equation to calculate the wavelengths of light emitted in various series in the spectra on the hydrogen atom.
Use of Powerpoint to produce a virtual slide-show for a specified element. Use of Access to create a database for halogens.
All Staff (4 lectures) Review Lectures
Revision of material covered in all courses in preparation for the final exam.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Three one-hour lectures per week with approximately three tutorials and five workshops on related material. In addition, students will attend 4 computing sessions over the duration of the module (shared with CH1IN1).

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		30	4
Tutorials/seminars		3
Practicals
Other contact (workshops)		5	1
IT workshops		6
Total hours		44	5
Number of essays or assignments
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:

Coursework
Students will attend tutorials and workshops on the material covered in this module. Attendance is compulsory at both. Both tutorial work and workshop problems will form the basis of the test held at the end of the spring term. Tutorials and computing reports must be submitted by the named date.

Relative percentage of computing coursework: 25%

Penalties for late submission
In accordance with University policy 10% of marks will be deducted from coursework submitted up to one 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 in any term will automatically incur a formal warning from the School Director of Teaching and Learning.

Examinations
One two-hour written paper will be taken during the Part 1 examination period. 50%
One one hour test at the end of the spring term
based on tutorial and workshop material 25%

Requirements for a pass in this module
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in August / September for end of module exam.