CH1PP2: Physical Processes and Molecular Organisation

Module code: CH1PP2

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Joanne Elliott, email: j.m.elliott@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental principles of Physical Chemistry, which will also act as a foundation for the remainder of the course. 

You will develop your knowledge of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry by studying the core concepts of physical processes and molecular organisation in some depth. In lectures you will learn key concepts and in workshops you will explore your understanding and have the opportunity to gain skills by the application of knowledge.    

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe key concepts relating to the fundamental principles of physical chemistry;
2. Quantitatively assess basic chemical data (thermodynamics, equilibria, molecular organisation, quantum mechanics and kinetics);
3. Analyse and present numerical data in appropriate formats.

Module content

Chemistry in the Balance – Equilibrium (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session). 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.  

Chemical Kinetics (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session) The rate equation; order, rate constant and integrated rate equations; kinetics and mechanism; Arrhenius equation; more complex reaction s and enzymic catalysis.

What makes Reactions go? (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session) Chemistry and Energy. Forms of energy; enthalpy, Hess’s Law, qualitative approach to entropy and free energy, 2nd and 3rd laws of thermodynamics.  

The Quantum World (5 lectures+ 2 workshops + 1 revision session): Inside atoms and molecules: Why do we need quantum mechanics?; Quantisation; Energy levels; The interaction of light with matter; Spectroscopy. 

Molecular Organisation (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session): Gases, Liquids & Solids. Ideal gas behaviour; interactions between molecules; qualitative discussion of how real gases behave; pressure-temperature phase diagrams for one-component systems; vapour pressure; Raoult's law; temperature-composition phase diagrams for two partially miscible liquids and for a mixture of volatile liquids: application to fractional distillation. 

Tutorial (1 session)

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

5 lectures per topic to deliver core materials (=25 lectures) accompanied by 2 workshops per topic (=10 workshops) to develop skills in the application of knowledge.

1 revision session per topic (=5 sessions).

1 formative tutorial session to develop confidence in problem solving.

Study hours

At least 35 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students can receive feedback on their work during the workshop and tutorial sessions.

Reassessment

Additional costs