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CH20178: Physical chemistry 3 for visiting students

[Page last updated: 21 April 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/3
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Exam (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: In taking this module you cannot take CH20151 OR take CH20152
Learning Outcomes: After studying this Unit, students should be able to:
* Describe some experimental methods for investigating reaction rate and mechanism and how kinetic parameters may be calculated.
* Account in kinetic terms for the mechanism of a range of reactions.
* Analyse kinetic data in terms of a number of theoretical models
* Describe the fundamental processes that lead to absorption, emission and scattering of electromagnetic radiation from molecular species, and interpret IR and Raman spectra.
* Define the terms 'wavefunction' and 'eigenvalue'.
* Relate physical models to quantisation of molecular and electronic energies.
* Use quantum mechanical methods to generate and rationalise the structure and bonding in organic molecules.

Aims: First half of year long unit: To introduce and expand on advanced physical chemistry methods in kinetics, spectroscopy, surfaces and quantum mechanics.

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

Content: Revision of basics of reaction kinetics - order, molecularity, temperature effects.
Kinetic treatment of more complex mechanisms such as chain and oscillating reactions, enzyme kinetics.
Theoretical treatments of reaction kinetics and examples of their application. e.g. collision theory, transition state theory.
Experimental methods for studying reactions.
The physical basis of spectroscopy, developing from the basic quantum mechanics of simple molecules to the interpretation of spectra of complex molecules.
Basic principles of quantum mechanics; wavefunctions, eigenvalues and operators.
Solving the Schrödinger equation and the calculation of energy levels. Development of the variation method applied to diatomic molecules and hydrocarbons. Calculation of electronic and bonding energies. The relationship between molecular orbitals, electron density and reactivity.

Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH20178 is only available to visiting/exchange students


Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • 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.