OVERVIEW

The Course Physical Chemistry 2 with Laboratory is focused on chemical kinetics and electrochemistry. It complete the basic chemical-physical knowledge of materials science students, allowing to approach to the investigation of ì complex Physical chemical systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is designed to introduce the student to theoretical and practical concepts of the chemical kinetics, catalysis, electrochemistry and electrokinetic. The main concept of applied electrochemistry, gas phase/solution kinetics, homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzymatic catalysis will be provided. At the end of the course, it is expected that theoretical concepts and experimental skills for the study of time-dependent chemical- physical phenomena will have been acquired.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to introduce the student to theoretical and practical concepts of chemical kinetics, catalysis, electrochemistry and electrokinetics. The main concept to understand of applied electrochemistry, gas/solution phase kinetics, homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis will be provided. At the end of the course, the student is expected to have acquired theoretical concepts such that he/she will be familiar with the mathematical derivations necessary for understanding the fundamental elements of kinetics and electrochemistry. The student is also expected to have acquired such experimental skills and theoretical-practical knowledge as to be able to independently conduct experiments necessary for the study of chemical-physical phenomena as a function of time.

PREREQUISITES

Background in  Mathematics, Physical Chemistry I, General Physics   and general  Chemistry is recommended

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures (40 hours) with classroom exercises (24 hours). No. 4 laboratory experiences in both electrochemistry and kinetics.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

CHEMICAL KINETICS AND CATALYSIS

Reaction rate and order. Molecularity and reaction mechanism. Series reactions. Parallel reactions. Reversible reactions. Kinetic analysis of experimental data. Dependence of reaction rate on temperature (Arrhenius equation). Theory of chemical reactions (collision theory and transition state theory). Kinetics of Complex Reactions. Catalysis and catalysts. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Langmuir isotherm. Enzymatic catalysis.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY

Principles of electrochemistry: electrical conduction in solution, mobility and transport numbers. Activity and activity coefficients. Electrochemical potential and the Nerst equation. Standard electrode potentials. The electrochemical potential and cells. Applied electrochemistry: primary batteries (Leclanchè, Mallory, Zn-Ag, Zn-air, lithium,), secondary batteries (Pb-acid, Ni-Cd, NiMH, Li ion, Li-S and Na-S). Memory effect and charging processes.  Fuel cells: the principles, thermodynamic efficiency, real losses, structure of a fuel cell

LABORATORY

At least 4 experiments based on the theoretical topics covered during the course

The detailed program will be discussed with the students during lectures

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

P. W. Atkins, J. De Paula, Chimica Fisica, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2004.

K.J.Laidler Chemical Kinetics Harper Collins 1987 

V.S.Bagotsky  Fundamentals of Electrochemistry  Wiley Interscience  2006

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DAVIDE PEDDIS (President)

SAWSSEN SLIMANI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The schedule of classes is published at https://chimica.unige.it/didattica/orari_CTC

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of

a) A written exam consisting of 4 problems covering the topics covered in the course

b) Oral examination will cover both theoretical aspects of the course and the resolution of exercises. The student must demonstrate understanding of main chemical-physical concepts and he/she must show demonstrate good familiarity with the mathematical derivations discussed during the lectures. In addition, during the oral examination, the activity carried out in the laboratory will be discussed.

c) Preparation of the laboratory notebook containing a detailed description of all the activities performed in the laboratory. The laboratory notebook, personally written by each student, must be submitted to the teacher 7 days before the exam.

d) Preparation of the lab reports according to the modalities that will be discussed during the course. The reports, which will be carried out in small groups, must be submitted to the teacher 7 days before the exam.

Tests (a) and (b) can be replaced by this assessment pathway:

There will be two written exam during the year, one in electrochemistry and one in kinetics. The assignments will contain both theoretical questions and exercises. For students who pass the two written exams with a grade of not less than 24/30 and have positive lab evaluation, the exam will be considered passed with the grade obtained. It will be the student's choice to request to take the oral exam to obtain a higher grade.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written exam  aim to assess the student's ability to apply the knowledge  acquired during the course.. In addition to assessing the elements of merit acquired during the course, the oral exam (minimum duration 45 minutes) aims to verify the student's reasoning ability and his/her ability to solve small exercises. The preparation of the laboratory notebook aims to ascertain the student's ability to describe the experimental activity qualitatively and quantitatively selecting the information necessary for the subsequent processing of the results obtained in the laboratory. Finally, the preparation of scientific report, in addition to verifying the student's ability to work in a team, allows to assess his/her ability to process and rationalize the results obtained in the laboratory.

Exam schedule