The aim of this module is to extend a student's knowledge of Physical Chemistry, in particular to demonstrate the relationship between microscopic and macroscopic models for physical chemical phenomena.

By the end of the module, students should:

• be able to use thermodynamic data to predict the position of equilibrium in a wide range of systems under a wide range of conditions;
• understand the differences between real and ideal systems;
• have an understanding of the physical chemistry of ideal and real electrochemical cells;
• have an understanding of the physical chemistry of surfactants and colloids
• understand how macroscopic physical properties of a system are related to microscopic properties of molecules
• be able to apply their knowledge of physical chemistry to solve unseen problems.

The link between molecular and thermodynamic properties (10 lectures)

• Introduction: comparison of mechanics and thermodynamics as descriptions of chemistry.
• Kinetic theory of gases. Simple collision theory, steric and energetic requirements.
• Concepts of statistical mechanics: configurations, weights, most probable distribution and deviations from this. Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Partition functions for translation, rotation and vibration.
• Relation of Q to internal energy and heat capacities.
• Entropy, S=k lnΩ. Use of statistical mechanics to calculate ΔS.
• Transition state theory and some practical examples of applications of stat. mech.

• Chemical Equilibria.
  The second law and chemical potential to define equilibirium. Standard States. The dependence of stability on conditions.
• Chemical Equilibria.
  Extension from gas phase reactions to all reactions. The difference between real and ideal systems. Predicting whether reactions will occur. Difference between thermodynamic and practical equilibrium constants. Effect of temperature and pressure on chemical equilibria.
• Physical Equilibria.
  Ideal gases, liquids and solutions. Raoult's law. The chemical potential of components in ideal mixtures: standard and reference states. Colligative properties: the elevation of the boiling point, solubility. Deviations from ideality - the link to molecular properties.

• Electrolytes and Electrochemical Thermodynamics
  Structure of liquids. Ion-solvent interactions. Examples of ionic hydration energies. Activities of ions. Half cell reactions and standard electrode potentials.
• Transport Properties in liquids
  Conductivity and mobility.

• Introduction to Surface Chemistry
  Liquid surfaces: surface tension and capillary rise. The Young equation. Contact angles and surface wetting. Detergents and surfactants.

• Introduction to Colloidal and Surface Chemistry

  Structure of colloidal solutions. Origin of colloid stability. Lyophilic and lyophobic colloids. Structure and properties of amphiphilic molecules. Critical micelle concentration.

This module consists of 30 50-minute lectures to be given in the second semester.  These lectures will be used to provide the background material necessary to succeed in this module. The lectures will be supported by five small group tutorials. In the tutorials students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge that they have gained from the lectures to problems of varying difficulty. Students will also be given three sets of extended problems which they will be expected to complete in their own time. Successful completion of these problem sets will require the application of both knowledge gained from lectures and from reading around the subject and problem solving skills gained in the tutorials. Students will be expected to spend approximately seven hours on each set of problems and an additional six hours per week in private study related to this module.

"Physical Chemistry" P.W. Atkins,Oxford University Press, Edition 7 or Edition 8

"Electrode Potentials", R.G. Compton and G.H.W. Sanders, 1998, Oxford Chemistry Primer, ISBN 0 19 8556845