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Chemical reactions are at the heart of almost everything we do in our modern world. But what is the motivating factor behind reactions? Why do some reactions occur over geological time scales while others occur so quickly that femtosecond-pulsed lasers are required to study them? Finally, what is happening at the atomic level? Discover the answers to these and other fundamental questions in this introductory physical chemistry course.
The course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of three major topics in first-year undergraduate physical chemistry: thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum mechanics. These three topics cover whether or not reactions occur, how fast they occur, and what happens at the subatomic scale.
Syllabus :
1. Thermodynamics I
- Introduction
- Thermodynamic Definitions
- The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics and Temperature
- The First Law of Thermodynamics and Enthalpy
- Reversible Expansion
- Heat Capacity
- Thermodynamics I Recap
2. Thermodynamics II
- Thermodynamics II Introduction
- The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy
- The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Spontaneity
- The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Equilibrium
- The Third Law of Thermodynamics and Absolute Entropy
- Hess' Law
- Thermodynamics Recap
3. Virtual Lab 1: Thermodynamics
- Introduction to Experiment
- Calorimeter Experiment
4. Chemical Kinetics I
- Introduction to Chemical Kinetics I
- Rate of Reaction
- Stoichiometry and Order
- Zero Order Reactions
- First Order Reactions
- Second Order Reactions
- Determination of Reaction Order
- Experimental Determination of Reaction Order
- Examples of Measurements I
- Examples of Measurements II
- Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate
5. Chemical Kinetics II
- Chemical Kinetics II Introduction
- Complex Reactions: Equilibria
- Complex Reactions: Consecutive reactions (Rate-Determining Step)
- Steady-State Approximation
- Using the Steady State Approximation (Lindemann Mechanism)
- Using the steady state approximation (Chain Reactions)
- Catalysis
- Chemical Kinetics Recap
6. Virtual Lab 2: Kinetics
- Introduction to Experiment
- Gas Burette Experiment
- Experiment Extra Data
- Lab 2 Feedback
7. Quantum Chemistry I
- Introduction to Quantum Chemistry by Dr. Patrick O'Malley
- Planck's Quantum of Energy
- Particle Nature of Light
- Particle Nature of Light - Example
- Wave Nature of Matter
- Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle
- The Schrödinger Equation
- The Free Particle & the Particle in a Box
- Born's Interpretation of the Wavefunction
- Normalisation of the Wavefunction
- Particle in a Box Application to Polyene Electronic Spectra
8. Virtual Lab 3: Particle in a Box
- This experiment involves the visible absorption spectra of dyes.
9. Quantum Chemistry II
- Introduction to Quantum Chemistry I by Dr. Patrick O'Malley
- Introduction to Hydrogenic Atoms
- Hydrogenic Atom Quantum Numbers
- Radial Solutions for Hydrogenic Atoms
- Angular Solutions for Hydrogenic Atoms
- Interpretation of Hydrogenic Atom Solutions
- Energy levels for Hydrogenic Atoms
- Quantum Chemistry II Recap
10. Virtual Lab 4: Hydrogen Emission Spectroscopy
- Hydrogen Emission Introduction
- Quantum Lab Feedback
