CHY1201 : Elements of Physical Chemistry (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ben Horrocks
- Lecturer: Dr Nick Walker, Dr Fabio Cucinotta
- Practical Supervisor: Dr Cristina Navarro Reguero
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To provide an essential understanding of basic thermodynamic principles, chemical kinetics, spectroscopy and quantum theory. In conjunction with the stage 1 physical chemistry laboratory class, an introduction to some experimental techniques which can be employed in physical chemistry is provided.
Outline Of Syllabus
Thermodynamics
Dr BR Horrocks
1 Properties of gases, perfect and imperfect gases
2-3 Enthalpy and the first law
4 Entropy
5-8 Gibbs energy and the second law. Phase changes and chemical equilibria. Third law.
9 Electrochemical cells
10 Thermodynamics of mixtures
Kinetics
Dr F Cucinotta
1 Empirical chemical kinetics: relationship with equilibrium
2 Rate laws: first-order, second-order, and pseudo first-order reactions
3 Experimental techniques
4 Determination of the rate law I: isolation method
5 Determination of the rate law II: integrated rate laws, half lives
6 Temperature dependence: Arrhenius law
7 Collision theory and activated complexes
8 Accounting for the rate laws: mechanisms and steady-state approximation
9 Example mechanisms
10 Revision seminar I
11 Revision seminar II
Spectroscopy
Dr N Walker
1 General introduction to spectroscopy
2-4 Electronic spectroscopy
5-7 Vibrational and rotational spectroscopy
8 Spectroscopy and Temperature
9-11 Magnetic resonance spectroscopies
Laboratory Course
Course organiser: Dr C Navarro-Reguero
1 Electrochemical cells: Delta-G of a reaction and Nernst equation
2 Measurement of pH and pKa by titration
3 Measurement of solubility using conductance
4 Kinetics using spectrophotometry
5 Infrared spectroscopy - interpretation
6 Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy
7 Calorimetry: heats of reaction and dissolution
8 Reaction kinetics using conductance
9 Ideal gas law and absolute zero
10 Investigation of the kinetics of the BZ reaction
11 Infrared spectroscopy – physical basis
12 UV/VIS and fluorescence spectroscopy - physical basis
13 Black Body Distribution
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 33 | 0:50 | 27:30 | Revision for end of semester examination |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | End of semester examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 33 | 1:00 | 33:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | Writing practical reports |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 5 | 6:00 | 30:00 | 2 x 3h practical sessions take place over 5 weeks |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 21 | 1:00 | 21:00 | Calculation Classes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | 1 x 1h drop-in sessions with lecturer for 10 weeks |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 57:30 | 57:30 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Knowledge and understanding are acquired through lectures. The calculation classes will increase the ability of students to solve quantitative problems and carry out calculations in physical chemistry. Practicals are designed to reinforce the taught material and practice written, experimental, computer and problem solving skills. The drop in sessions allow discussion between module staff and students.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 180 | 2 | A | 60 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 40 | composed of several individual laboratory reports as specified in the practical course handbook |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination and assessment are designed to test knowledge, numerical and problem solving skills.
The coursework provides continual practice in calculation.
Practical reports assess written, experimental, computer and problem solving skills.
Assessment:
Students are required to obtain at least 35% in the examination component in order for the laboratory mark to be included in the final module mark.
Students who score
An alternative assessment may be set for any Semester 1 Study Abroad student taking this module, who will not be in Newcastle during the January assessment period.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CHY1201's Timetable