OVERVIEW

The Course Physical Chemistry is focused on thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. It completes the basic chemical-physical knowledge of materials science students, allowing to approach to the investigation of complex chemical and biochemical systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquire methodological rigor and mathematical formalism to interpret and describe the fundamental phenomena that underlie the chemical-physical systems. Particular attention will be paid to the description and understanding of the energy profile of chemical systems as well as to the physical-chemical phenomena as a function of time.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with the basic concepts of classical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, using a general methodological approach for the analysis and interpretation of chemical and physical phenomena.

At the end of the course, students are expected to know the meaning of the different thermodynamic functions (U, H, S, G) and to be able to connect them to the fundamental thermodynamic equations discussed in class. Students should be able to explain the meaning of these equations, also making use of graphical representations and diagrams. Furthermore, students are expected to know the basic definitions of chemical kinetics, to be able to analyze and interpret a kinetic law (also using specific examples), and apply this knowledge to understand the mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis.

The preparation of a short presentation on a topic of the program with reference to chemical-biological phenomena will constitute a moment of verification of the ability to apply/connect physico-chemical concepts to the biological world.

PREREQUISITES

Background in Mathematics, General Physics and General Chemistry is recommended.

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical lectures (48 hours), Classroom attendance is strongly recommended. 

Students with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

THERMODYNAMICS

Definition of thermodynamic system. Ideal and real gases. Zeroth law of thermodynamics. First law of thermodynamics: heat, work. State functions: definition of internal energy and enthalpy. Phases and aggregation states. Reaction enthalpy. Hess' law, Kirhhoff's law. Second law of thermodynamics. Definition of entropy (S) according both to classical and statistical thermodynamics. Gibbs and Helmoltz free energies. Dependence of G on temperature and on pressure. One-component phase diagrams: the phase rule. Clausius-Clapeyron equation. Ideal and real solutions: partial molar quantities; Raoult's law; Henry's law; excess functions; activity. Colligative properties. Electrolyte solutions: ion activity and Debye-Hueckel law; salting in and salting out. Kohlrausch law and independent ion migration law. Ionic mobility. Chemical equilibrium: Gibbs energy of a reaction; dependence of the reaction delta G on the composition: reaction quotient and equilibrium constant. Applications of G to complex chemical systems.

CHEMICAL KINETICS AND CATALYSIS

Concepts of rate and order of reaction. Molecularity and mechanism of reactions, half-life. Reactions in series and in parallel; reversible reactions. Kinetic analysis of experimental data and determination of the kinetic law: integral methods and differential methods. Dependence of the reaction rate on the temperature (Arrhenius equation). Kinetics and equilibrium. Pre-equilibrium conditions. Approximation of the steady state. Kinetic and thermodynamic control of reactions. Lindemann-Hinshelwood mechanism. Reactions in solution, reactions controlled by diffusion. Isotope effect. Theory of chemical reactions (collision theory and transition state theory). Kinetics of Complex Reactions. Catalysis and catalysts. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Enzymatic catalysis. Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Besides the material present in Aulaweb, suggested books/readings are:

P. Atkins, J. de Paola (2012) - Chimica Fisica. V ed. Zanichelli, Bologna.

Laidler-Meiser (1999) - Chimica Fisica. Editoriale Grasso, Bologna.

E.L.Cussler (1997) - Diffusion. Cambridge University Press, USA.

R. Chang (2005) - Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences. University Science Books, California.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 2024.

Class schedule

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination exam consists of:

- Oral interview will cover both theoretical aspects of the course and the solution of simple exercises/problems. The students must demonstrate understanding of main chemical-physical concepts and must show  good familiarity with the mathematical derivations discussed during the lectures. 

- Preparation of a short presentation (also with ppt support) on a topic related to the course content, agreed in advance.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam is conducted by two professors and has a minimum duration of 45 minutes.

In addition to the student's ability to frame/present a topic in a general context, his reasoning ability and his ability to answer specific questions are assessed. Passing the exam presupposes the actual acquisition of the theoretical concepts; in particular, the student must demonstrate that he has correctly understood the meaning of certain physical and/or chemical-physical laws and that he is able to give the right interpretation of the reason why certain phenomena occur. The evaluation takes into account the student's ability to use appropriate technical-scientific terminology combined with the coherence of exposition of the concepts.

Preparing a small presentation on a chosen topic allows  to evaluate the students ability to synthesize and rationalize concepts.

Exam schedule