Physical Chemistry

Full course description

This course aims to introduce the students to the core of physical chemistry – thermodynamics. First, it introduces classical thermodynamics and applies it to macroscopic systems. Subsequently, statistical thermodynamics is introduced and linked to the main thermodynamic quantities. Students will learn throughout the course how to apply thermodynamics to analyze the physical and chemical properties of gases, solutions and solids, with a focus on mathematical derivations of formulas. The course covers, inter alia, the laws of thermodynamics; chemical potentials; phase diagrams; mixing of solutions; properties of gases; the derivation of internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, equilibrium constants, pressure via the statistical thermodynamics.

Course objectives

To provide a molecular and mathematical understanding of basic concepts in physical chemistry on more advanced level;
To explain and describe the behavior of systems when temperature and pressure is changed;
To apply the general principles of thermodynamics to describe and understand chemical and environmental processes;
To derive via statistical thermodynamics important thermodynamic quantities (e.g. internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs and Helmholtz energies, pressure).

Prerequisites

None

Co-requisites

PRA2008

Recommended

MAT1007 and/or
MAT2006 and/or
MAT2009

Physical Chemistry