1 Atoms and ions
Atoms,
atomic structure, electrons in atoms and quantum mechanics, the hydrogen
atom, quantum numbers, hydrogen-like atoms, many electron atoms, shells,
sub-shells, orbitals, ionization energies, electron affinities, the
periodic table, atomic ions.
2 The states of matter
The
gaseous state, the gas laws, real and ideal gases, the liquid state,
the solid state, solids of metals, ionic solids, covalent solids.
3 Molecules and bonding
Bonds
between atoms, the covalent bond, VSEPR theory, molecular orbital
theory, first row homonuclear diatomic molecules,
bonding and antibonding orbitals, sigma
and pi bonds, second row homonuclear diatomics,
heteronuclear orbitals, hybrid orbitals,
molecular structure and the electromagnetic spectrum.
4 Chemical Energetics
Enthalpy
and chemical reactions, Hess' Law, standard enthalpy changes of formation
allotropes and standard enthalpy changes of formation (a look at phase
diagrams for a pure substance), bond enthalpies, standard enthalpy
changes and reactivity, entropy changes, enthalpy changes vs. entropy
changes and the free energy change, dissolution enthalpies and lattice
energies.
5 Chemical Kinetics
Reaction
pathways, intermediates and transition states, quantifying the rate
of a chemical reaction, determination of rate laws, mechanisms of
chemical reactions, reactions in solution, gas phase reactions, Lindemann
mechanism, the temperature dependence of reaction rates, collision
theory, the Arrhenius equation, catalysis.
6 Chemical equilibria
The
equilibrium state, predicting the equilibrium state, the equilibrium
composition, factors influencing the magnitude of equilibrium constants,
Le Chatalier's principle, equilibrium constants for gas-solid
reactions.
7 Special equilibria
Acid-base
equilibria, pH, acid ionization constants, ionization constant of
water, buffer solutions, sparingly soluble salts, the common
ion effect, predicting precipitation, redox equilibria, use of electrochemical
cells in the study of redox equilibria, use of electrochemistry in
the study of ionic solution equilibria, the liquid-vapour equilibrium
of a pure compound (another look at phase diagrams), the liquid vapour
equilibrium of a binary solution, Raoult's
Law, colligative properties, colligative
properties of ionic solutions, determination of acid dissociation
constants from colligative properties.
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METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Midcourse
test (15%) and Examination (85%)
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RECOMMENDED TEXT
Essential
The
Elements of Physical Chemistry4th
ed. by Atkins
and de Paola, Oxford University Press.
Atkins
Physical Chemistry 7th ed. by Atkins and de Paola,
Oxford University Press.
Foundations
of Physical Chemistry: Worked Examples
by N.S. Lawrence, J.S. Wadhawan, R.G. Compton, Oxford University
***Either
of the books books by Atkins and de Paola are essential for the study
of Physical Chemistry throughout the rest of the B.Sc. (Hons) course.
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INTERNET RESOURCES:
VSEPR Tutorial
- Contains example Problems
pH Tutorial - Deals with acid-base equilibria and contains
quizzes.
Problem solving - Step-by-step guide to solving problems
in Physical Chemistry
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