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CH40220: Chemical thermodynamics in context

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 3
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take CH20194 or equivalent from another university.
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To develop concepts of advanced Chemical Thermodynamics, place these into context and show how these are important for a range of application areas.

Learning Outcomes:
After studying the Unit, students should be able to:
* Describe various context of advanced chemical thermodynamics, both mathematically and descriptively
* Describe the context in which these underlying principles are of value in understanding the behaviour of real chemical systems, including those at the interface with materials and biology
* Critically assess the experimental methods used in thermodynamic studies, relating these to the underlying principles
* Describe examples
* Solve problems using the methods introduced including the application of techniques to unseen situations
* Discuss critically a relevant selection of independent reading related to the topic.

Skills:
Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F).

Content:

* Reviewing fundamentals: Thermodynamic state functions, Maxwell relations; applications to defects
* Temperature dependence of thermodynamic functions: heat capacity, differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal titration calorimetry; applications in materials and biophysics (binding constants)
* Phase transitions, their investigation and application: Ehrenfest classification of phase transitions; order, Gibbs phase rule, lever rule, phase boundaries; applications in polymorphism
* Entropy: third law, determining absolute entropies; populations and probabilities; estimating absolute configurational entropies of macromolecular systems
* Thermodynamic cycles: Joule-Thomson effect; Carnot cycle, Nernst heat theorem; applications in refrigeration and liquefaction
* Thermodynamics in Context: Superfluidity; Thermodynamics of the Earth.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH40220 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 5)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.