Module description
This module builds upon the Year 1 Physical Chemistry module, as well as the chemical and mathematical concepts/tools covered in both Year 1 and Year 2. It introduces the principles of Physical Chemistry that relates the properties with the behaviour of reactive and non-reactive chemical systems at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. The module will cover:
- Thermodynamics: molecules in motion, free energy, phase equilibria and chemical equilibria.
- Kinetics of chemical reactions and reaction rates: rates of chemical reactions, reaction mechanisms, experimental methods, catalysis.
Assessment details
Written examinations and coursework.
| Exam |
70% |
|
|
2 x online tests (MCQ/SAQ)
|
30% |
As the final exam for this module takes place in the May exam session, this module is only open to full-year students.
Educational aims & objectives
This module builds upon the Year 1 Physical Chemistry module, as well as the chemical and mathematical concepts/tools covered in both Year 1 and Year 2. It introduces the principles of Physical Chemistry that relates the properties with the behaviour of reactive and non-reactive chemical systems at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.
The module will cover:
- Thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium
- Kinetics of chemical reactions and reaction rates
You will acquire a broad understanding of the knowledge base in Physical Chemistry and its terminology or discourse. This will require you to operate in a range of varied but predictable contexts that require the use of a specified range of techniques and information sources. Additionally, the student will be required to identify principles and concepts underlying theoretical frameworks.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
- Develop models of chemical and physical change grounded in the fundamentals of thermodynamics
- Apply the concepts, methods and techniques of thermodynamics to chemical/biochemical systems and make predictions for these systems at equilibrium.
- Derive a reaction rate equation from a simple reaction mechanism
- Derive activation energies from temperature dependence of reaction rates using the Arrhenius equation
- Describe simple experimental methods for probing reaction kinetics
- Describe chemical reactions, and distinguish their mechanisms, with a focus on enzyme kinetics.
Workshops will be interspersed with lectures as necessary to apply concepts and theories covered in lectures to solve specific chemical problems and improve understanding.
Teaching pattern
30 hours of lectures and problem solving, 10 hours workshops