Physical Chemistry (5 cr)

Objective

Students will learn the fundamentals of physical chemistry so that they can apply their knowledge in subject studies and make use of their skills for future tasks.

Content

1. Energy transfer in chemical reactions and phase transition.
2. The spontaneity of a chemical reaction and balance.
3. Chemical equilibrium, phase equilibrium, crystallization, extraction, distillation, and colligative properties.
4. The factors affecting the rate of chemical reactions and reaction kinetics.
5. Basics of surface chemistry: dispersion, colloids, surface-active agents and viscosity.
6. Basics of electrochemistry and analytical techniques

Materials

Material given by the teacher and material found on the Internet (open stax material)

Teaching methods

Lectures, voluntary homework assignments

Employer connections

N/A

Exam schedules

To be agreed with students (exam + resits)

International connections

N/A

Completion alternatives

N/A

Student workload

Guided lessons 48 h
Exams 6 h
Homework 18 h
Self study 63 h
Total: 135 h

Content scheduling

Part 1:
Energy transfer in chemical reactions and phase changes.
Spontaneity and equilibrium of a chemical reaction.
Equilibrium reactions, phase equilibria, crystallization, extraction and distillation, colligative properties.
Part 2:
Factors affecting the rate of a chemical reaction and reaction kinetics.
Basics of surface chemistry: dispersions, colloids, surfactants and viscosity
Fundamentals of electrochemistry and analysis techniques

Further information

Lessons may be recorded in order to enable more flexible studies.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student shows that he/she knows the core competencies of the objectives and can use concepts and information in a coherent manner. The student is able to do the physical chemistry measurements according to the instructions, look at the results and prepare reports, which contain all of the required sections.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student is able to understand the effect of the measurement conditions. The student works carefully and purposefully in the laboratory. The report is clear in structure and style. The student is able to make independent conclusions and the results will include measurement uncertainty estimates.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to apply the physical chemistry methods for different reactions. He/she works independently, on his/her own initiative and is goal-oriented. He/she is able to plan and schedule the work in a reasonable way. The language used in the report and discussion of the results is excellent.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student shows that he/she knows the core competencies of the objectives and can use concepts and information in a coherent manner. The student is able to do the physical chemistry measurements according to the instructions, look at the results and prepare reports, which contain all of the required sections.

Assessment methods and criteria

Percentages based on the maximum points given during the course. Practices will be agreed on first lessons. It can be possible that returned homework tasks will give extra points.
40 % = 1, 52 % =2, 64 % = 3, 76 % = 4 and 88 % = 5