Physical Chemistry Review Topics

Last Update: August 12, 2008

 

Both CHEM 323 and CHEM 325

•S.I. units and dimensional analysis ("Appendix 1" in Atkins and de Paula Physical Chemistry 8th Ed.)
 
•Be able to take derivatives (ordinary and partial) and integrals of simple polynomials, trigonometric functions (e. g., sin and cos), and exponential functions. In CHEM 323 there’s more emphasis on derivatives and differentials. In CHEM 325 there’s more emphasis on integrals, series and matrix manipulations. Click here for a brief calculus review, or see "Appendix 2" in Atkins and de Paula Physical Chemistry 8th Ed.  Some important things to know are
>>Euler chain rule
>>Product rule for derivatives and/or differentials
 
Preparing graphs of data with spreadsheets and by hand.

 

Both CHEM 324 and CHEM 326

Maintenance of laboratory notebooks
 
•Standard laboratory techniques including
>Proper use of volumetric glassware
>Titration
>Use and care of spectrometers and analytical balances
>Solution preparation
 
•Proper chemical waste disposal
 
Preparing graphs of data with spreadsheets and by hand
 
Propagation of error analysis
 
•Writing skills are assumed to be carried from writing courses (e.g., grammar, spelling, logical flow)

 

Topics for CHEM 323

Basic stoichiometry
 
•Nomenclature of simple organics, binary salts and complex ions
 
•Thermodynamics
>Enthalpy, Hess's Law and calorimetry
 
>Bond dissociation energies
 
>Entropy, Gibb's energy
 
•Equilibrium
>Basic concepts and calculations
 
>Applications to
Acid-base reactions
Precipitation reactions
Electrochemistry
Coordination Chemistry
 
Kinetics
 
•Molecular basis for properties of matter
>Intermolecular interactions
>Gas Laws
>Phase changes (calorimetry of and source of)
>Phase diagrams (pure substances and binary mixtures)
>Colligative properties

 

Topics for CHEM 325

•Classical Mechanics ("Appendix 3" in Atkins and de Paula Physical Chemistry 8th Ed.)
 
•Model of atom
>Historical development of quantum mechanics
‡Photoelectric effect
‡de Broglie
‡Bohr
 
>Quantum mechanical model of the hydrogen atom
 
>Elemental properties: trends and explanations
 
•Bonding models
>Lewis structures
 
>VSEPR (predict shape and polarity using)
 
>Valence Bond Theory
 
>MO Theory
 
Solid state and Materials
>Unit cell definition
>Types of unit cells
>Bragg equation
>Born-Haber cycle (lattice energy)
 
•Nomenclature of simple organics, binary salts and complex ions
 
•IR and NMR spectroscopy

 

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