- Academic Registry
Programme & Unit Catalogues


CH10172: Physical chemistry 1 for visiting students

[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: In taking this module you cannot take CH10137 OR take CH10138 You must have A-level Chemistry or equivalent to take this unit.
Aims: To introduce the basic concepts of physical chemistry upon which understanding of modern chemistry depends. These include the principles governing chemical processes in terms of thermodynamic properties, their measurement, chemical equilibria, and phase behaviour.

Learning Outcomes: After studying this unit, students should be able to:
* Describe simply the role of thermodynamics, in chemistry;
* Discuss the fundamental ideas lying behind thermodynamics, and how they can be used to interpret chemical behaviour;
* Perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of and solve problems involving thermodynamic concepts and data;
* Solve numerical problems in of thermodynamics;
* Apply some basic mathematical methods to the solution of chemical problems.

Skills: Numeracy (F, A)
Problem solving (T, F, A)
Oral communication (F).

Content:
* The world of gases: ideal and non-ideal gases. Intermolecular forces: vapours, liquids and solutions. The laws of thermodynamics and thermochemistry: energy changes in chemical reactions. Entropy and free energy.
* Calculation of changes in U, H, S, G under a range of temp., pressure and composition conditions. Le Chatelier principle. Relation between Gibbs free energy and equilibrium constants with examples drawn from chemical reactions, redox and electrochemical processes.
* Phase behaviour of solids, liquids and gases. Qualitative and quantitative characterisation of phase transitions. Emphasis will be placed on the solution of a range of types of problems.
* Quantitative methods and problem solving in chemistry. Revision of basic calculus and trigonometric functions. Application of mathematical methods to solving chemical problems.

Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH10172 is only available to visiting/exchange students


Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.