ChE Tulsa University

CHEM 4023 Physical Chemistry II
Required course for ChE program

Catalog Description:  Modern physical chemistry topics including molecular quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics. Emphasis on quantitative understanding of chemical systems.

Prerequisites:  Chem 3033 or ChE 3063, Math 2024, Phys 2063.

Corequisites:  Math 2024, Phys 2063.

Prerequisites by Topic:  Math through calculus II, calculus-based physics, and a course in chemical thermodynamics (in chemistry or chemical engineering) for all topics.    

Textbook:  Physical Chemistry for the Chemical and Biological Sciences, Raymond Chang, University Science Books, 3rd Edition.   (Physical Chemistry, Atkins and DePaula, 8th Edition, also used in preparing lecture material.)

Other Required Material: None

Course Objectives: The goal of the course is to understand the molecular basis of chemical processes including bonding, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics.  Objectives include:

1.  Understanding of quantum mechanics, and origin and use of the Schrodinger equation.

2.  Solution of the Schrodinger equation for chemically interesting problems.

3.  Applications of quantum mechanics to chemcial bonding.

4.  Development of molecular orbital and valence bond theories of bonding.

5.  Principals of spectroscopy and applications with rotational, vibrational, and electronic energy levels.

6.  Principals of statistical mechanics including partition functions.

7.  Explanation of thermodynamics in terms of molecular energy levels

8.  Entropy as a measure of disorder.

9.  Applications of physical chemistry.  Special topics (e.g. nuclear chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, kinetics of explosions) are chosen in consultation with the students and based on current interest.

Topics Covered:

Week one – mathematical preliminaries, classical physics

Week two – Schrodinger equation, particle in a box

Week three – Three dimensional Schrodinger, 3-d particle in a box

Week four – Hydrogen atom

Week five – Atoms, ionic bonding

Week six – Molecular orbital and valence bond theories

Week seven – Spectroscopy, nature of light, rotational spectra

Week eight – Vibrational, rotational-vibrational spectra

Week nine – Electronic spectra, fluorescence, lasers

Week ten – Statistical mechanics, partition functions

Week eleven – Entropy, statistical interpretations

Week twelve – Interpretation of free energy

Week Thirteen -  Molecular understandings of kinetics

Week Fourteen -  Applications of concepts (special topic)

Week fifteen – Applications of concepts (special topic), wrap-up, and review

Class/Laboratory Schedule:  Lecture meets for three 50-minute sessions each week for 15 weeks.

Professional Component Contribution:  This course provides three hours of general education, specifically advanced chemistry to complement the chemical engineering content. 

Relationship to Program Outcomes: 

• Outcome a:  this course requires students to apply knowledge of chemistry.

Prepared by:  Robert Howard (June, 2006)

Modified by:  Laura P. Ford (June 2006)