CH2PH1NU-Further Physical Chemistry

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 / 2 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr James Hallett
Email: j.e.hallett@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Joanne Elliott
Email: j.m.elliott@reading.ac.uk

NUIST Module Lead: Mingxia Song
Email: smx839@163.com

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Deepen your understanding of core aspects of physical chemistry, including kinetics, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, statistical thermodynamics, molecular modelling and surfaces and interfaces. Put the theory into practice in regular workshops and discuss the key ideas in small-group tutorials.

Module Lead: Mushraf Hussain (mushraf_chemist@outlook.com)

 

 

Aims:

The aim of this module is to further students’ understanding of key aspects of physical chemistry related to equilibrium and structure. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Describe, explain, discuss and apply the physical principles and theory underlying core areas of physical chemistry, to include electrochemistry, spectroscopy, molecular modelling, kinetics, surfaces and interfaces and statistical thermodynamics.

Critically examine questions raised in tutorials and workshops, and analyse numerical problems on relevant material.

Additional outcomes:

The students should improve their numeracy, critical thinking and analytical skills through problem solving, and oral and presentation skills through tutorials.

Outline content:

Semester 1:

Electrochemistry: Aqueous electrolyte solutions; Activity coefficients and Debye Hückel theory; Electrochemical cells; Thermodynamic parameters from emf measurements; pH and potentiometric titrations.

Kinetics: Multi-step kinetics; Steady-state approximation; Michaelis-Menten kinetics; Chain reactions - steady-state; Radical chain reactions; Branched chain reactions; Explosions; Techniques in Chemical Kinetic analysis.

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.

Semester 2:

Spectroscopy: Absorption and scattering processes; Transition dipole moments; Selection rules; Rotational spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy and vibration-rotation spectroscopy of diatomic molecules; Raman spectroscopy; Vibronic spectroscopy.

Introduction to Molecular Modelling: Forces between molecules; Balls on springs; Molecular mechanics; Potential energy surfaces; Applications of molecular mechanics.

Statistical thermodynamics: Boltzmann Law; Partition functions; Thermodynamic functions; Ideal monatomic and diatomic gases.

Workshops on maths for Physical Chemists.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Approximately three forty-five minutes lectures per week with tutorials and workshops on related material and on the underlying mathematical principles. 

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures	30	30
Tutorials	4	4
Supervised time in studio/workshop	14	14
Guided independent study:	52	52
Total hours by term	100	100
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Tutorials (written work) 20%

Students attend tutorials and workshop/seminars on the material covered in this module. Attendance is compulsory at both. 

Examination 80%

1 x 2 hour examination at the end of Semester 1, 40 % (based on topics covered in Semester 1)

1 x 2 hour examination at the end of Semester 2, 40 % (based on topics covered in Semester 2)

(2 x exams, 40% each = 80 %)

Formative assessment methods:

6 x workshops on problems of the type encountered in tutorials and examinations.

The module includes 5 or 6 homework tasks per semester. For each student, the three best marks from homework tasks in Semester 1 will count for 10 % of the module mark, and the three best marks from homework tasks in Semester 2 will count for 10 % of the module mark. Each homework will be equally weighted.

6 homework tasks (3 in Semester 1 + 3 in Semester 2) × 3.33% = 20%

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy. Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University-administered re-examination period in August. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

• 'Chemistry' by Catherine E. Housecroft and Edwin C. Constable. ISBN-10: 0273733087, ~£70


• 'Atkins Physical Chemistry’ by Peter Atkins, Julio de Paula and James Keeler (11th edition). ISBN-10: 0198769865, ~£45


• Chemistry Data Book, 2nd Edition in SI, by JG Stark and HG Wallace. ISBN-10: 071953951X, ~£19

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  Scientific Calculator (non-programmable), £10.00

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023