Physical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry is typically a two-semester, junior-level course built on a background of two or three semesters of calculus and two semesters of physics. The calculus background should include multivariate techniques. Some knowledge of linear algebra is also desirable. The principal areas covered are thermodynamics and equilibria, chemical kinetics, introductory quantum and statistical mechanics, and spectroscopy. Prior chemistry courses provide preparation in most of these areas and quite possibly coverage of some of them.
Physical chemistry may be taught with an emphasis on the microscopic approach. Most texts, however, emphasize the macroscopic approach with statistical arguments being introduced to deepen a student's understanding. Problem solving is an essential activity in learning physical chemistry. Also, experimental methods and experimental results should temper theory in physical chemistry lectures.
The following list is representative of topics which may be covered, but no two-semester course covers all of these topics.
Thermodynamics and Equilibria

Standard functions (enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs, etc.) and applications. Microscopic point of view especially for entropy. Gibbs chemical potential applied to chemical and phase equilibria. Non-ideal systems; standard states; activities; Debye-Huckel limiting law. Gibbs phase rule; phase equilibria; phase diagrams. Thermodynamics of electrochemical cells.

Electrochemistry

Double layer theory. Electrode processes. Transport properties. Rate processes.

Kinetic Theory

Marxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Collision frequency, effusion rate. Equipartition of energy, heat capacitl. Transport processes.

Kinetics

Differential and integral expressions with emphasis on multistep as well as single-step firstorder phenomena. Relaxation processes. Microscopic reversibility. Expressing mechanisms in rate laws. Steady state approximation. Collision theory. Absolute rate theory.

Quantum Mechanics

Postulates and formulation of SchrOdinger equations. Operators and matrix elements. Particle-in-a-box. Simple harmonic oscillator. Rigid rotor, angular momentum. Hydrogen atom; hydrogenic wave functions. Spin; Pauli principle. Hydrogen molecule ion; hydrogen molecule-, helium atom. LCAO method.

Spectroscopy (often interspersed with quantum mechanics to provide immediate applications)

Light-matter interaction; dipole selection rules. Rotational spectra of linear molecules. Vibrational spectra of diatomic- molecules. Term symbols. Electronic spectra of atoms and molecules. Magnetic spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy-, multiphoton selection rules. Lasers.

Statistical Thermodynamics (often associated with thermodynamics and kinetic theory)

Ensembles. Standard therniodynamic functions expressed in partition functions. Partition function expressions for atoms, rigid rotors, harmonic oscillators. Einstein crystal; Debye crystal.

Additional Topics

Introduction to group theory. X-ray crystallography. Electron diffraction. Dieletric constants; dipole moments. Surface chemistry.