Introduction to Physical Chemistry

About this course: Chemical reactions underpin the production of pretty much everything in our modern world. But, what is the driving force behind reactions? Why do some reactions occur over geological time scales whilst others are so fast that we need femtosecond-pulsed lasers to study them? Ultimately, what is going on at the atomic level? Discover the answers to such fundamental questions and more on this course in introductory physical chemistry. The course covers the key concepts of three of the principal topics in first-year undergraduate physical chemistry: thermodynamics, kinetics and quantum mechanics. These three topics cover whether or not reactions occur, how fast they go and what is actually going on at the sub-atomic scale.

Created by:  University of Manchester

• Taught by:  Patrick J O'Malley, D.Sc, Reader

  Chemistry

• Taught by:  Michael W. Anderson, FRSC, Professor of Materials Chemistry

  School of Chemistry

• Taught by:  Jonathan Agger, MRSC, Lecturer and Deputy Director of Outreach

  Chemistry

Commitment 12-15 hours Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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University of Manchester Tracing its roots back to 1824, the University of Manchester is home to almost 40,000 students. The University has three Nobel laureates among its current staff – more than any other British university - and a total of 25 Nobel laureates have come from our past and present students and staff. We have three main goals: to undertake world-class research; to deliver an outstanding learning and student experience; and to be socially responsible.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Thermodynamics I
This module explores thermodynamic definitions, the zeroth law of thermodynamics and temperature, the first law of thermodynamics and enthalpy, reversible expansion, and heat capacity.


7 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: About Us
2. Reading: Thermodynamics I Overview
3. Video: Introduction
4. Video: Thermodynamic Definitions
5. Video: The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics and Temperature
6. Video: The First Law of Thermodynamics and Enthalpy
7. Video: Reversible Expansion
8. Video: Heat Capacity
9. Practice Quiz: Thermodynamics I - Practice Quiz
10. Video: Thermodynamics I Recap

WEEK 2


Thermodynamics II
This module explores the second law of thermodynamics and entropy, the second law of thermodynamics and spontaneity, the second law of thermodynamics and equilibrium, the third law of thermodynamics and absolute entropy, and Hess' Law.


7 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Thermodynamics II Overview
2. Video: Thermodynamics II Introduction
3. Video: The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy
4. Video: The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Spontaneity
5. Video: The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Equilibrium
6. Video: The Third Law of Thermodynamics and Absolute Entropy
7. Video: Hess' Law
8. Practice Quiz: Thermodynamics II - Practice Quiz
9. Video: Thermodynamics Recap

Graded: Thermodynamics Assessment

WEEK 3


Virtual Lab 1: Thermodynamics
This lab allows you to further explore thermodynamics.


2 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: Introduction to Experiment
2. Video: Calorimeter Experiment
3. Reading: Thermodynamics Lab Overview (Virtual Lab)
4. Practice Quiz: Thermodynamics Virtual Lab
5. Reading: Thermodynamics Lab Solutions

WEEK 4


Chemical Kinetics I
This module explores the rate of reaction, stoichiometry and order, zero order reactions, first order reactions, second order reactions, determination of reaction order, and effect of temperature on reaction rate.


11 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Chemical Kinetics I Overview
2. Video: Introduction to Chemical Kinetics I
3. Video: Rate of Reaction
4. Video: Stoichiometry and Order
5. Video: Zero Order Reactions
6. Video: First Order Reactions
7. Video: Second Order Reactions
8. Video: Determination of Reaction Order
9. Video: Experimental Determination of Reaction Order
10. Video: Examples of Measurements I
11. Video: Examples of Measurements II
12. Video: Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate
13. Practice Quiz: Chemical Kinetics I - Practice Quiz

WEEK 5


Chemical Kinetics II
This module explores complex reactions, steady-state approximation, and catalysis.


8 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Chemical Kinetics II Overview
2. Video: Chemical Kinetics II Introduction
3. Video: Complex Reactions: Equilibria
4. Video: Complex Reactions: Consecutive reactions (Rate-Determining Step)
5. Video: Steady-State Approximation
6. Video: Using the Steady State Approximation (Lindemann Mechanism)
7. Video: Using the steady state approximation (Chain Reactions)
8. Video: Catalysis
9. Practice Quiz: Chemical Kinetics II - Practice Quiz
10. Video: Chemical Kinetics Recap

Graded: Chemical Kinetics Assessment

WEEK 6


Virtual Lab 2: Kinetics
This lab allows you to further explore kinetics.


4 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Kinetics Lab Overview
2. Video: Introduction to Experiment
3. Video: Gas Burette Experiment
4. Video: Experiment Extra Data
5. Video: Lab 2 Feedback
6. Practice Quiz: Kinetics Virtual Lab

WEEK 7


Quantum Chemistry I



This module explores Planck's quantum of energy, particle nature of light, wave nature of matter, Heissenberg's uncertainty principle, the Schrödinger equation, free particle & the particle in a box, Born's interpretation of the wavefunction, and normalisation of the wavefunction.


11 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Quantum Chemistry I Overview
2. Video: Introduction to Quantum Chemistry by Dr. Patrick O'Malley
3. Video: Planck's Quantum of Energy
4. Video: Particle Nature of Light
5. Video: Particle Nature of Light - Example
6. Video: Wave Nature of Matter
7. Video: Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle
8. Video: The Schrödinger Equation
9. Video: The Free Particle & the Particle in a Box
10. Video: Born's Interpretation of the Wavefunction
11. Video: Normalisation of the Wavefunction
12. Video: Particle in a Box Application to Polyene Electronic Spectra
13. Practice Quiz: Quantum Chemistry I - Practice Quiz

WEEK 8


Virtual Lab 3: Particle in a Box
This experiment involves the visible absorption spectra of dyes.


1 video, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Particle in a Box Overview
2. Video: Particle in a Box Introduction
3. Reading: Spectrometer Simulation
4. Practice Quiz: Particle in a Box Lab

WEEK 9


Quantum Chemistry II
This module explores hydrogen atoms, hydrogen atom quantum numbers, radial and angular solutions for hydrogenic atoms, and energy levels for hydrogenic atoms.


8 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Quantum Chemistry II Overview
2. Video: Introduction to Quantum Chemistry I by Dr. Patrick O'Malley
3. Video: Introduction to Hydrogenic Atoms
4. Video: Hydrogenic Atom Quantum Numbers
5. Video: Radial Solutions for Hydrogenic Atoms
6. Video: Angular Solutions for Hydrogenic Atoms
7. Video: Interpretation of Hydrogenic Atom Solutions
8. Video: Energy levels for Hydrogenic Atoms
9. Practice Quiz: Quantum Chemistry II - Practice Quiz
10. Video: Quantum Chemistry II Recap

Graded: Quantum Chemistry Assessment

WEEK 10


Virtual Lab 4: Hydrogen Emission Spectroscopy
This lab allows you to further explore quantum chemistry.


2 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Reading: Quantum Chemistry Lab Overview
2. Video: Hydrogen Emission Introduction
3. Practice Quiz: Quantum Virtual Lab
4. Video: Quantum Lab Feedback