AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The active participation in the training activities proposed in this module will enable the student to:

-know the Principles of Thermodynamics and the implications related to the study of chemical systems;

-know and describe the main techniques of physico-chemical characterization, highlighting thermal analysis for the study of phase transformations or chemical reactions;

-propose experimental analyses to study undetermined systems;

-describe the concept of chemical equilibrium and its variation as a function of boundary conditions;

-examine the variation of chemical potential and other thermodynamic properties as a function of the variation of intensive quantities;

-define the kinetic equation and assign the correct reaction order for each involved reactant in a given chemical reaction;

-analyze the effect of catalysts, both homogeneous and heterogeneous, on the rate of a reaction;

-describe thermodynamically (Gibbs free energy) the effect of a catalyst.

Based on the objectives described, the current teaching contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda: Goal 4. Quality Education, Goal 7. Clean and Affordable Energy

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of face-to-face lectures for a total of 24 hours (3 CFUs) where the topic, presented by the lecturer with the support of slides and other aids, is followed by a consideration phase with questions and exercises resolved by students in order to assess their learning degree.

Students who have valid physical or learning disability certification on file with the University and who wish to discuss any accommodations or other circumstances related to lectures, courses and exams should speak with both the lecturer and Prof. Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), dedicated contact person for the Polytechnic School

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teaching program plans to address and discuss the following topics: Generalities and thermodynamic nomenclature; The properties of gases; The Concepts of Work, Heat and Energy; The Concept of Heat Capacity; The First Principle of Thermodynamics and its application to Thermochemistry; The Born-Haber Cycle; The Second Principle of Thermodynamics; the Gibbs Free Energy Calculation, the Gibbs-Helmoltz Equation, the Vant'Hoff Equation, the Chemical Potential; Phase Transformations of Pure Substances and the Clausius-Clapeyron Equation; Phase Equilibria and the Gibbs Phase Rule; Thermodynamics of Mixtures, Ideal Solutions and Real Solutions; Elements of Chemical Kinetics: Concepts of reaction rate and order, molecularity and reaction mechanisms; Series reactions. Parallel reactions. Reversible reactions; Dependence of reaction rate on temperature (Arrhenius equation). Use of catalyst and photocatalyst in phase (homogeneous) or in different phases (heterogeneous); Study of the energy profile of reactants and products of a reaction in the presence/absence of catalysts.

Classroom exercises will be performed during the lectures to promote learning of the content delivered in the program, and in particular: Review exercises on the properties of perfect and real gases; Applications of the first principle of thermodynamics, examples of enthalpy calculation, application of Hess's law and Kirchhoff's equation, application of the Clasius-Clapeyron equation; Applications of the second principle of thermodynamics, calculation of the entropy change of a reaction under different thermodynamic conditions, mixture entropy; Evaluation of the spontaneity of a reaction; Calculation of Gibbs free energy for transformations under different thermodynamic conditions; Exercises on equilibrium processes in homogeneous chemical reactions with application of the Vant'Hoff equation; Use of thermodynamic potentials; Examples of the influence of temperature and pressure on chemical equilibria.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliographic material for exam preparation consists of lecture handouts provided by the lecturer. Students may also avail themselves of in-depth reference texts:

P. W. Atkins and J. De Paula - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - Zanichelli (various editions)

M. Compiani, C. La Rosa, P. Sassi - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - UTET (2023)

A. Gambi - EXERCISES OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - Zanichelli

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The teaching is held on the 5th bimester of the academic year. Lessons timetable is available at the link reported below.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of a written test; the time available for the test is 120 minutes. Number and distribution of official rounds during the academic year are set according to the guidelines established by the Study Manifesto and the Regulations of the Course of Study. The written test consists of 10 open-ended questions, for each of which a score of no more than 3 points is given.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss any accommodations or other circumstances related to classes, courses and examinations should speak with both the lecturer and Prof. Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), dedicated contact person for the Polytechnic School.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The purpose of the written test is to verify the actual achievement of the educational objectives of the teaching in detail, which correspond to the expected student learning outcomes listed in the dedicated section. The written test, as it is structured, is dedicated to verifying the achievement of an adequate level of basic knowledge of the program and understanding of the topics covered. It will also be possible for the student to independently verify his or her level of preparation through active participation in lectures and exercises. Further details of exam preparation methods will be provided during the teaching.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact the lecturer for further information not included in the teaching sheet.