r2 c:\files\courses\3620\362syl11.docx 1 1/3/2011 COURSE: Physical Chemistry, 3620 Lecture Spring 2011 SECTION: Chem 3620-07 (CRN 3107) CREDIT: 3 hours LOCATION: E303 Sundquist TIMES: 11:15-12:10 MWF PREREQUISITE: Math 1920, Chem 3610 INSTRUCTOR Dr. Ron Robertson Office: C303 Sundquist Office phone 221-6298 Office hours posted but you are welcome to come by anytime Home phone 615-763-2146 E-mail [email protected] Discussion Board http://pauling.apsu.edu/discus/ TEXT Physical Chemistry, 8th edition, P.W. Atkins and Julio de Paula, W. H. Freeman Publishing, 2006 (available in APSU bookstore) ISBN 0-7167-8759-8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS The student solutions manual is not available in the bookstore but you may be able to purchase it online. Use it very carefully – the solutions often do not follow from our treatment of the material. I grade homework on a logical development of a solution – you can lose points by blindly copying a solution! A scientific calculator is essential. Special function keys should include scientific notation, fractional roots, natural and common logarithms, and exponential functions (ex and 10x). The use of programmable calculators (like the TI-80 series) is prohibited on Exams and Quizes. COURSE DESCRIPTION, CONTENT, AND OBJECTIVES This course emphasizes and develops the general core areas of reasoning, scientific knowledge and numerical understanding. These areas involve the university's mission to develop skills of inquiry, abstract and logical thinking, and critical analysis; the ability to understand and use numbers and statistics; and an understanding of the scientific method. Physical chemistry studies the underlying physical principles that govern the properties and behavior of chemical systems. In a sense all other chemists come back to physical chemistry to truly understand what is happening. Chemical systems can be studied from a microscopic or macroscopic viewpoint. The microscopic viewpoint makes explicit use of the concept of molecules. The macroscopic viewpoint studies large-scale properties of matter without the explicit use of the molecule concept. The first semester we used predominantly (but not always) the macroscopic view. This semester we emphasize the microscopic as well as macroscopic view. There are five main areas in physical chemistry: thermodynamics, transport properties, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, and kinetics. The first semester is about thermodynamics and kinetics. We covered some of the material in chapters 1-7, and 22: ideal and real gases, the laws ofr2 c:\files\courses\3620\362syl11.docx 2 1/3/2011 thermodynamics, phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, and kinetics – including simple kinetic rate laws and introducing the concept of steady state. In 3620 we continue with our study of kinetics in chapter 22 and 23 including enzyme catalysis. Then we backtrack into chapter 21 to study the kinetic model of gases in more detail. Then we apply all this new information to explosions, atmospheric processes and polymers in chapter 23. Next we take a very short look at molecular reaction dynamics (part of chapter 24), then on to electrochemistry (parts of chapters 7 and 21), transport properties (part of chapter 21) and spectroscopy (parts of chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15). We continue to use calculus as an important tool, but at no higher level than 3610. Calculus 1920 is highly recommended but it is very possible to survive with only calculus 1910. Differentiation and integration (including the use of exponentials and logs) will be required. Some additional integration of elementary differential equations will be explained. I encourage your active participation in class. We are a very small but select group. Feel free to ask questions before, during and after class. I would hope to pull you "kicking and screaming" through this course. My definition of science as always is "organized curiosity", and I don't want you to lose your sense of curiosity as we explore together the complexities of Mother Nature. If you find yourself having difficulty, please come and see me before you get too far behind. Since our time together in class is short, I will focus first on the presentation of ideas and concepts. My presentations will sometimes be summaries of the text's treatment, but at other times my presentation may approach the subject in a different way - a way that I think is clearer or easier. It is vital that you read the text and study the class notes to get the best understanding of the material. After you think that you have an understanding of the ideas and concepts presented (after you have the mental model) you should attempt the homework problems. Some problems will merely be review type questions, but others will allow you to "flex" your intellectual muscles and see how the concepts presented can be used to answer questions that a scientist would be asked. ATTENDANCE You must be present to win. I consider this class to be "you and me" against the physical chemistry book. Take advantage of class time and let me know if you can’t be in class. I do reserve the right to reduce your final grade for excessive absences (more than 4). Each absence after 4 may reduce your final percentage grade by 3 percentage points. Also as explained below I do give pop quizzes and your grade may be affected by your absence (see evaluation below). Be there! Nuff said. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students should read the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting. It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain an environment in the classroom that is conducive to learning, and it is my responsibility to ask for such behavior. Everyone needs to respect others’ rights to learn in a classroom without unnecessary distractions. Please make sure to turn off or silence all cell phones, pagers, iPods®, computers, etc., before coming into class. This also means that “texting” during class is prohibited. Even excessive talking during lecture can be a distraction to others in class as well as myself. You may be asked to leave class if your disturbance is excessive. EVALUATION PHILOSOPHY My general philosophy is “A grade is an inadequate report of an inaccurate judgment by a biased