- Academic Registry
Course & Unit Catalogues


CH20179: Physical chemistry 4 for visiting students

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • EXAM (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: In taking this module you cannot take CH20151 OR take CH20152
Learning Outcomes: After studying this Unit, students should be able to:
* Account in kinetic terms for the mechanism of reactions in liquids;
* Describe the effect of light on some chemical reactions and account for the rates of photochemical processes;
* Describe and define the types of adsorption at solid surfaces;
* Explain the qualitative and quantitative basis of catalysis and physical adsorption;
* Define surface tension and solve simple problems involving its application;
* Define and interpret the forces between two colloids.


Aims: Second half of year long unit: To introduce and expand on advanced physical chemistry methods in kinetics, spectroscopy, surfaces and quantum mechanics.

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

Content: Theoretical treatments of reaction kinetics and examples of their application e.g. Reactions in solution. Diffusion and activation control, the "cage" effect.
Experimental methods for studying reactions:
Basic photochemical methods and processes. Applications of photochemistry. Kinetics of photochemical reactions.
Introduction to surfaces. chemisorption versus physisorption.
adsorbed amounts. Types of isotherms: Langmuir Isotherm. determination of heat of adsorption,BET isotherm: Introduction to heterogeneous catalysis. Kinetics of catalysis. Langmuir Hinshelwood mechanism. Eley Rideal mechanism. Catalysis examples Molecular basis and consequences of surface tension. Colloid stability. Micellisation. Gibbs equation.

Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH20179 is only available to visiting/exchange students


Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.