Review Objectives for Physical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry Review Topics

 
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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Last Update: August 12, 2008