OVERVIEW

Physical Chemistry is the branch of chemistry that defines and develops its principles using the underlying physics concepts and the language of mathematics. A fundamental topic of physical chemistry is thermodynamics applied to chemical systems, which allows for the definition of the concept of energy exchange associated with physical processes and chemical reactions, the stability of a phase, and the reversibility/irreversibility of a process.
The course focuses on the classical concept of energy and guides students through the study of the three laws of thermodynamics applied to the analysis of progressively more complex systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding of the concepts and fundamental elements of classical thermodynamics applied to chemical systems. Development of critical judgment and learning ability with particular reference to the understanding of the concept of energy and chemical potential associated with chemical reactions. Development of the ability to determine thermodynamic quantities and functions associated with phase transformations and chemical reactions through the use of appropriate instrumentation. Development of the critical sense through laboratory practice applied to classical thermodynamic experiences.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the Physical Chemistry course is to provide the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics applied to chemical systems, such as heat and energy associated with phase transformations and chemical reactions. The concept of chemical equilibrium is considered as a function of environmental variables (typically pressure and temperature), enabling students to evaluate the most energetically favorable conditions to predict how to advance (or reverse, when appropriate) a reaction. Students will acquire the ability to solve problems related to the course content, identifying the relevant chemical and physical parameters and developing an adequate schematic of the process under consideration.
Laboratory activities will enable students to acquire the ability to correctly use laboratory equipment (in compliance with current safety regulations) and process experimental results, correctly estimating typical measurement errors.

PREREQUISITES

To effectively address the course content and successfully complete the classroom and laboratory exercises, students need the following basic knowledge: real functions of one or two real variables; the concept of measurement, measurement error, and error propagation; the concept of interpolation and extrapolation of a function; the atomic structure of matter, elements and the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical nomenclature; the states of matter and their characteristics.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures in which the teacher presents the topic using slides or other materials, followed by reflection and exercises.
The workshop will be led by the teachers, assisted by lab tutors. Attendance is mandatory, as per the Academic Regulations.
At the beginning of each laboratory activity, a brief theoretical introduction will be provided to provide the basic principles underlying the instrumental methodologies that will be used. In addition to using the outline provided on aulaweb, videos recorded in the lab will be shown, demonstrating the equipment to be used. The activity involves several phases: group work during the experiment, and a collaboratively written report describing the purpose and method of implementation of the experiment, its objectives, as well as schematic drawings and graphical representations of the data obtained.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
ideal and real gases
the concepts of work, heat, and energy; the concept of heat capacity
the first law of thermodynamics and its application to thermochemistry; Hess's law; the Born-Haber cycle
the second law of thermodynamics; Gibbs and Helmholtz free energy
the third law of thermodynamics
partial molar quantities and chemical potential
phase transformations of pure substances and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation
phase equilibria and the Gibbs phase rule
the thermodynamics of mixtures, ideal and real solutions
colligative properties
electrolytic solutions
chemical equilibrium
principles of diffusion.

Classroom exercises will consist of examples and exercises on the topics covered in the theoretical part.

Laboratory activities will focus on:
Methods for measuring temperature and pressure
Determination of the enthalpy of formation of an organic substance
Determination of the enthalpy of vaporization of a volatile organic liquid
Determination of the enthalpy of neutralization of an acid-base reaction
Determination of the upper consolute temperature of a mixture
Determination of the molar mass of urea by freezing point depression measurements
Determination of the molar mass of urea by vapor pressure depression measurements

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

P. Atkins & J. De Paula, Chimica Fisica, Ed. Zanichelli (Physical Chemistry Theory, in Italian language. It is possible to buy the English version)

A. Gambi, Esercizi di Chimica Fisica, Ed. Zanichelli (Physical Chemistry Exercises, in Italian language)

M. Fogiel, The Physical Chemistry Problem Solver, Ed. Research and Education Association

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Monday 21 September 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of:
- a written exam, based on the solution of numerical exercises on the topics covered. The written exam may consist of two assignments, to be completed during the semester, or an overall written exam. All written exams must achieve a minimum score of 16/30 to qualify for the oral exam.
- an oral exam, which tests mastery and understanding of all the contents, including both theory and laboratory work.

The final grade also includes the evaluation of laboratory reports and the evaluation of the Referents' Day, during which students, divided into groups, present the results of an in-depth study on a topic freely chosen from the course.

Students may only access the oral exam after passing the written exam and submitting all laboratory reports.
For students with disabilities or learning disabilities, please refer to the Additional Information section.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Understanding of the topics covered and student preparation for the exam are assessed through student participation in numerical exercises conducted in class, active and independent participation in laboratory exercises, and the preparation of laboratory reports.
The various tests contribute to the final grade as follows: written exam (35%), oral exam (35%), laboratory reports (15%), and Advisors' Day (15%).
The oral exam will focus on the topics covered during lectures and a discussion of the results of laboratory experiments. It will aim to assess not only whether the student has achieved an adequate level of knowledge but also whether he or she has acquired the ability to critically analyze the issues addressed during the course.
Laboratory reports are evaluated to verify the effective acquisition of practical skills and the ability to critically evaluate the results obtained. The in-depth seminar (Referents' Day) allows us to test students' ability to work constructively within an independently formed group, their ability to organize and present a topic in public, and their ability to connect and integrate the knowledge learned during the laboratory activities with that provided during the lectures.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Classes are held in person; no alternative online methods are available.
Students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (SLD) are reminded that to request exam accommodations, they must first upload their certification to the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be verified by the University Services Department for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD, as indicated on the federated website at the link: CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGIES 8757 | Students with Disabilities and/or SLD | UniGe | University of Genoa | UniGe Study Programs.
Subsequently, well in advance (at least 5 working days) of the exam date, an email must be sent to the instructor with whom they will take the exam, copying both the School Coordinator for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) and the aforementioned Department. The email must specify:
• the course title
• the exam date
• the student's surname, first name, and student ID number
• the compensatory tools and dispensations deemed appropriate and requested.
The contact person will confirm to the instructor that the applicant is entitled to request accommodations for the exam and that such accommodations must be agreed upon with the instructor. The instructor will respond to the request, indicating whether the requested accommodations are possible.
Requests must be sent at least 5 days before the exam date to allow the instructor to evaluate the content. In particular, if you intend to use concept maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for studying), if they are not sent within the required timeframe, there will not be enough time to make any changes.
For further information on requesting services and adaptations, please consult the document: Guidelines for requesting services, compensatory tools and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids