LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides basic chemical-physical knowledge useful for interpreting and predicting the behavior, in thermodynamic terms, of systems of chemical interest, including reaction environments.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student is able to describe the four principles of classical thermodynamics, showing some appropriate examples; he proves his ability to predict, direct and understand the behavior of chemical systems, in thermodynamic terms, knowing how to solve numerical exercises of medium difficulty, attributable to the knowledge of the theoretical part.

The student is able to carry out, in a group, simple laboratory experiences, showing the aptitude for deepening; he has the competence to draw up a relationship in a collaborative way, developing his critical sense, his capacity for comparison and evaluation. He also shows the ability to schematize the process and to know how to represent it graphically.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of Mathematics, General Physics and General Chemistry.

TEACHING METHODS

The lecture is divided into: a) presentation of each topic with the support of the slides prepared by the teacher; b) phase of reflection with stimulus questions to understand the degree of learning; c) group work for collaborative exercises. The traditional use of the blackboard is complemented by participative teaching methods such as cooperative learning, peer-evaluation, concept maps, video clips, microteaching, etc., and with the use of software like Kahoot !, Socrative and / or other tools, aimed at performing training tests, not evaluated for the exam.

The laboratory experiences include: a group work during the course of the experience, a brief in-depth analysis and a collaborative written report, where also schematic drawings of the instrumentation used and the graphic elaboration of the obtained data are reported. At the end of the course, the students, divided into groups of interest, present in public a chosen topic, consistent with the program carried out.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Theoretical module

Generality and thermodynamic nomenclature

The properties of gases

Zero principle of thermodynamics

First principle of thermodynamics and its applications: the status and path functions.

Thermodynamic convention

U, H and Thermal capacities

Joule and Joule-Thomson experiences and their applications to chemical systems

Second principle of thermodynamics and its applications: Entropy from the classical point of view, and notes on the statistical concept

The functions of Free Energy G and and Free Enthalpy A, and their properties

The chemical potential and its properties

Phase transformations

The equilibrium diagrams

The rule of the phases according to Gibbs

Principle of Le Châtelier-Braun

The ideal solutions and their deviations

Study of the chemical equilibrium through the thermodynamic potentials

The equilibrium constants and their properties

The van't Hoff relations

Practical  module

Classroom exercises

The topics covered are simple applications of the theoretical module.

In particular, they will be performed:

Review exercises on the properties of perfect and real gases.

Applications of the 1st law of thermodynamics: examples of enthalpy calculation; Hess law; Kirchhoff equation; Trouton rule; Clasius-Clapeyron equation; Born-Haber cycle. Applications of the 2nd law of thermodynamics: calculation of the entropy variation of a reaction in different thermodynamic conditions; mixture entropy; evaluation of the spontaneity of a reaction; calculation of the Gibbs free energy for transformations in different thermodynamic conditions: use of thermodynamic potentials. Simple applications of the 3rd principle of thermodynamics. Application of the phase rule to the study of one-component state diagrams. Exercises on equilibrium processes in homogeneous chemical reactions with application of the Vant'Hoff equation. Examples of the influence of temperature and pressure on chemical equilibria in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. 

Laboratory experiences

The students, divided into groups, will have to perform the following experiences of thermodynamics:

1. Methods of measurement of temperature

2. Methods of measurement of pressure.

3. Determination of the heat of formation of naphthalene

4. Determination of the heat of vaporization of ethyl alcohol

5. Multiple experience. Students will choose to perform one of the following experiences: Consolute temperature of water and phenol system; Enthalpy of neutralization; Determination of the molecular mass of urea by cryoscopy; Determination of the molecular mass of urea or sucrose by lowering the vapor pressure.

At the end, each group will explore a topic of their choice, among those discussed during the course, and will present it in the form of a short seminar.

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