Physical ChemistryLaajuus (6 ECTS)

Objective

After completion of this course the student understands the thermodynamic basis for thermochemistry and equilibrium chemistry, determination of reaction enthalpies, as well as the influence of process conditions on the equilibrium. In addition, he understands the fundamental concepts of electrochemistry and can apply electrochemistry in his own field of expertise, such as corrosion. He also understands which factors may influence the extent of adsorption on a solid surface. He also understands how to apply the concept of acid constant and can deal with buffer solutions.
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After completion of this course the student is able to assess whether a proposed reaction may proceeds spontaneously and if heat is released or absorbed in the reaction. He is also able to calculate the pH for aqueous solutions of strong and weak acids and bases as well as of buffer solutions. He can interpret the phase diagrams of pure substances, liquid-vapor diagrams and distillation diagrams. The student is also able to assess the corrosion resistance of materials by means of pH-potential equilibrium diagrams as well as to calculate adsorption equilibria by means of applying adsorption isotherms.

After completion of this course the student is able to apply spreadsheet computation programmes to present and analyze experimental data. As an example, he can make a linear fit of his data and assess by means of the fit quantities that characterize the phenomenon he has been investigating. In addition, the student is able to find and use data found in physical-chemical handbooks to solve problems. He also knows how to assess qualitatively possible sources of error in experimental work, how to prepare solutions with exact composition and how to use the following equipment:
• calorimeter
• distillation set-up
• refractometer
• spectrophotometer
• conductivity meter
• pH-meter

Content

Thermochemistry and its applications, the spontaneity of reactions and phase transitions, the concept of chemical equilibrium; acids and bases, the concept of buffer solutions; solubility product; phases, the phase diagrams of pure substances and binary mixtures, theory of distillation; equilibrium electrochemistry: the spontaneity of electrochemical reactions, electromotive force, cell reaction, the conductivity of electrolyte solutions, electrochemical corrosion; the basic concepts of reaction kinetics; surface and colloid chemistry; adsorption isotherms.

The application of spreadsheet computation programmes to present and analyze experimental data; the use of handbooks to find physical-chemical data and values reported in the literature.

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The influence of process conditions on the release and absorption of heat in chemical reactions and phase transitions; equilibrium constants in terms of concentration, partial pressure and activity; the effect of process conditions on the electromotive force, corrosion and redox potential, the theory of adsorption phenomena, the assessment of the buffer capacity of buffer solutions

Further information

Class room teaching: 56 h
Laboratory exercises: 35 h
Exam: 4 h
Student individual workload (student workload analysis carried out 1/06): 110 h
Total: 205 h
Follow-up of the student workload analysis performed: -