OVERVIEW

Physical Chemistry is the branch of chemistry that defines and develops its principles using the underlying concepts of physics and the language of mathematics. It studies the fundamental elements of thermodynamics applied to chemical systems, the concept of energy associated with chemical reactions, and allows the determination of thermodynamic quantities associated with phase transformations and chemical reactions through the use of suitable instrumentation.

The course is focused on the classical concept of energy and accompanies the student, through modeling, to the study of thermodynamic equilibrium with a phenomenological approach.

“Teaching details means bringing confusion, establishing relationships between things means bringing knowledge” Maria Montessori

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 teaching Physical Chemistry 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) for which the student will be able to evaluate the energetically most favourable conditions to predict how to advance (or retreat when appropriate) a reaction. The student will acquire the ability to solve problems on the teaching contents, identifying the chemical and physical parameters of reference and elaborating an adequate schematization of the considered process.

The laboratory activities will allow the student to acquire the ability to correctly use laboratory instruments (in compliance with current safety standards) and to elaborate experimental results by correctly estimating the typical measurement errors.

PREREQUISITES

In order to effectively deal with the teaching contents, correctly carry out the exercises proposed in the classroom and the laboratory exercises, the following basic knowledge is necessary: Real functions of one or two real variables, with differential and integral calculus; Introduction to 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 periodic system, chemical bond, chemical nomenclature; The states of aggregation of matter and their characteristics.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of in person lessons in which, after the presentation of the topic by the teacher with the help of slides or other supports, there follows a phase of reflection with stimulating questions to understand the degree of learning, and the carrying out of exercises with student participation

The laboratory will be held by the teaching staff, assisted by laboratory tutors. Attendance at the laboratory is compulsory, as per the Educational Regulations

At the beginning of each laboratory activity there is a brief theoretical introduction with the aim of providing the basic principles on which the instrumental methodologies that will be used are based. In addition to using the track made available on aulaweb, video recordings recorded in the laboratory will be projected, showing the equipment to be used. The activity involves several phases: group work during the experience, a brief in-depth study and a written report in a collaborative way, which also includes schematic drawings or photos of the equipment used and the graphic processing of the data obtained. At the end of the course, the students, divided into interest groups, present a topic of their choice in public, consistent with the program carried out, in the Microteaching mode.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teaching program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics: Generalities and thermodynamic nomenclature; The properties of gases; the Concepts of Work, Heat and Energy; the Concept of Thermal Capacity; the First Law of Thermodynamics and its application to Thermochemistry; the Born-Haber cycle; the Second Law of Thermodynamics; the Calculation of the Gibbs Free Energy, the Gibbs-Helmoltz Equation, the Vant'Hoff Equation, the chemical potential; the Third Law of Thermodynamics and the concept of Entropy from a Statistical Thermodynamics point of view; phase transformations of pure substances and the Clausius-Clapeyron equation; phase equilibria and Gibbs' phase rule; Thermodynamics of Mixtures, Ideal Solutions and Real Solutions, Colligative Properties; the basic elements of crystallography.

The exercises in the classroom will be simple applications of what is covered in the theoretical part and, in particular, will be performed: Review exercises on the properties of perfect and real gases; Applications of the 1st law of thermodynamics, examples of enthalpy calculation, application of the Hess law and of the Kirchhoff equation, application of the Clasius-Clapeyron equation; Applications of the 2nd law of thermodynamics, calculation of the entropy variation of a reaction under different thermodynamic conditions, mixture entropy; Evaluation of the spontaneity of a reaction; Calculation of the Gibbs free energy for transformations in different thermodynamic conditions; Exercises on equilibrium processes in homogeneous chemical reactions with application of the Vant'Hoff equation; Use of thermodynamic ptentials; Application of the phase rule to the study of state diagrams; Examples of the influence of temperature and pressure on chemical equilibria.

The laboratory activities will focus on: Methods of measuring temperature and pressure; Determination of the formation heat of naphthalene; Determination of the vaporization heat ethylenl alcohol; Determination of the neutralization heat; Determination of phase transformations in a binary alloy; Determination of the consolve 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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Monday 30 September 2024 according to the timetable shown  qui 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The student will have to pass a written exam, based on the resolution of calculation exercises also with graphic support, and an oral exam, which allows the teacher to explore the knowledge of the program. Both tests must receive at least a 16/30 mark and the student will be able to enter the oral exam only after passing the written test and having delivered all the reports, including the ppt file of the chosen topic. Ongoing evaluation of different relationships and activities contribute to the final evaluation. During the course, partial tests are scheduled to lighten the burden of the final written exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment of the understanding of the topics covered and of the student's preparation for passing the exam takes place through the student's participation in the numerical exercises carried out in the classroom, the active and autonomous participation in the laboratory exercises, the drafting of the reports on the laboratory exercises , an oral test carried out partly in seminar form on a topic proposed by the teacher and partly in the traditional form on specific questions relating to the program of the theoretical part.

The written exam consists in carrying out at least 3 exercises.

The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the in person lessons and will aim to evaluate not only if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge but if he has acquired the ability to critically analyze a thermodynamics problem such as those that have been proposed during the frontal lessons.

The laboratory reports are evaluated to verify the effective acquisition of practical skills and the ability to critically elaborate the results obtained. The in-depth seminar allows you to verify the autonomy of the individual student in carrying out a topic of his choice, the ability to organize and present a topic in public, the ability to connect and integrate the knowledge learned during the laboratory activities with those provided during the in person lessons.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The lessons are held in person and there are no alternative online methods.

If it will be necessary to proceed with distance learning due to emergencies, all activities, in particular laboratory exercises, will be remodulated.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.