- UCAS course code
- F109
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Chemistry (MChem)
MChem Chemistry
- Typical A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 37 points overall with 7,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Core Chemistry 3
Unit code | CHEM30211 |
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Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | Department of Chemistry |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The unit covers three core topics in physical chemistry: (1) statistical thermodynamics; (2) vibrations in molecules and solids; and (3) physical organic chemistry. Each topic is taught in a blended format with three independent-study and four in-person sessions. The majority of the teaching follows the “flipped classroom” approach, with students asked to watch short videos during the independent-study sessions which are then supported with summaries and worked examples in the in-person sessions.
Aims
The unit aims to provide students with a working knowledge of three core topics in physical chemistry: (1) statistical thermodynamics; (2) vibrations in molecules and solids; and (3) physical organic chemistry.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students should be able to:
- Explain the key steps in the derivation of the Boltzmann distribution;
- Select and apply the tools of statistical thermodynamics to predict gaseous properties;
- Explain the theoretical basis for modelling vibrations in polyatomic molecules and phonons in solids;
- Describe the connection between imaginary harmonic modes and the potential-energy surface (PES) of molecules and solids;
- Interpret data from statistical thermodynamics and phonon spectra to characterise phase transitions in solids;
- Select and apply concepts in transition-state theory and the Eyring equation to predict and explain dynamical and kinetic behaviour in small molecules;
- Explain the detailed nature of the relationship between the free energy, equilibrium constant and reactivity in the context of organic chemistry;
- Design experiments to measure and rationalise chemical reaction mechanisms;
- Apply the principles of physical and physical-organic chemistry explain and rationalise the structure and properties of topical supramolecular materials.
Syllabus
Statistical thermodynamics (Dr C. Trujillo, 7 sessions)
- Classical thermodynamics.
- Statistical definition of entropy: microstates.
- Microscopic and macroscopic properties: ensembles, Boltzmann distribution.
- Partition function: internal energy, entropy, Helmholtz free energy.
- Ideal gases of atoms: translational partition function.
- Ideal gases of diatomic molecules: rotational partition function, rotational temperature, symmetry number.
- Vibrational partition function: diatomic and polyatomic molecules, total vibrational partition function, vibrational temperature.
- Electronic partition function.
- Statistical mechanics and equilibrium: Gibbs free energy, equilibrium constants.
Vibrations in molecules and solids (Dr. J. M. Skelton, 7 sessions)
- Vibrations in polyatomic molecules: Hessian and dynamical matrices, frequencies and eigenvectors.
- Phonons in solids: the Bloch theorem, wavevectors, the phonon dispersion and density of states.
- Energetic and dynamical stability: Helmholtz free energy of solids, imaginary harmonic modes, potential energy surfaces (PES) and stationary points, phase transitions.
- Reaction dynamics: transition state theory and the Eyring equation.
Physical organic chemistry: (Prof. S. J. Webb, 7 sessions)
- Relationships between free energy changes, equilibrium constants and reactivity.
- Physical concepts in the design of experiments to test or establish reaction mechanisms and the application of physical methods to mechanistic problems.
- Effects of structural variation and change of reaction conditions on organic reactivity.
- Types of supramolecular interactions and their relative strengths.
- Applications of supramolecular chemistry.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Analytical, problem-solving, numeracy and mathematical skills.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Students will have access to a significant quantity of problems and worked solutions, provided as part of the workshops, that they can use to check their progress. A summative revision session held at the end of the course provides an opportunity for cohort-level feedback on more challenging topics. Students also have the opportunity for direct feedback from course staff during the in-person sessions and/or office hours.
Recommended reading
- P. Atkins and J. de Paula, Atkins’ Physical Chemistry (10th Ed.), OUP, 2014
- A. Maczek, Oxford Chemistry Primers 58: Statistical Thermodynamics, OUP, 1998
- M. T. Dove, Introduction to Lattice Dynamics, CUP, 1993
- J. I. Steinfeld, J. S. Francisco & W. L. Hase, Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics, Pearson, 1998
- H. Maskill, The Physical Basis of Organic Chemistry, OUP, 1985 (ISBN: 9780198551997)
- E. V. Anslyn and D. A. Dougherty, Modern Physical Organic Chemistry, University Science Books, 2006 (ISBN: 9781891389319)
- J. W. Steed and J. L. Atwood, Supramolecular Chemistry, Wiley, 2000 (ISBN: 0471987918)
- P. Beer, P. Gale and D. K. Smith, Supramolecular Chemistry, OUP, 1999 (ISBN: 9780198504474)
- J. M. Seddon and J. D. Gale, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, RSC, 2001
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Assessment written exam | 2 |
Lectures | 24 |
Practical classes & workshops | 3 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 71 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Jonathan Skelton | Unit coordinator |