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CH30220: Chemical thermodynamics in context

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 3
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take CH20194
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To develop concepts of advanced Chemical Thermodynamics, place these into context and show how these are important for a range of application areas.

Learning Outcomes:
After studying the Unit, students should be able to:
* Describe various context of advanced chemical thermodynamics, both mathematically and descriptively
* Describe the context in which these underlying principles are of value in understanding the behaviour of real chemical systems, including those at the interface with materials and biology
* Assess the experimental methods used in thermodynamic studies, relating these to the underlying principles
* Describe examples
* Solve problems using the methods introduced including the application of techniques to unseen situations.

Skills:
Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F).

Content:

* Reviewing fundamentals: Thermodynamic state functions, Maxwell relations; applications to defects
* Temperature dependence of thermodynamic functions: heat capacity, differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal titration calorimetry; applications in materials and biophysics (binding constants)
* Phase transitions, their investigation and application: Ehrenfest classification of phase transitions; order, Gibbs phase rule, lever rule, phase boundaries; applications in polymorphism
* Entropy: third law, determining absolute entropies; populations and probabilities; estimating absolute configurational entropies of macromolecular systems
* Thermodynamic cycles: Joule-Thomson effect; Carnot cycle, Nernst heat theorem; applications in refrigeration and liquefaction
* Thermodynamics in Context: Superfluidity; Thermodynamics of the Earth.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH30220 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Chemistry (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AFB07 : BSc (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AKB08 : BSc (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCH-AAB08 : BSc (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study Year abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCH-AFB09 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Education (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCH-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Study Year abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCH-AFM02 : MChem (hons) Chemistry (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AFM05 : MChem (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Full-time) - Year 3

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.