Physical Chemistry
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The objective of the Course is to provide the student with the basic knowledge in the field of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, as well as some elements of electrochemistry. The contents of the course, which explore some topics already presented in the course of General Physics, aim to consolidate the student's attitude to quantitative reasoning and to provide the basis for the correct interpretation of the principles underlying chemical reactivity and some of the analytical techniques that the student will meet during his/her studies.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will know the basics of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, as well as some rudiments of electrochemistry. He/she will be able to understand the conceptual and formal bases of the main problems in physical chemistry discussed during the course and apply them to the solution of simple exercises.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
The frontal lessons will be held using the MS Teams platform according to the scheduled timetable. The sessons will be also recorded and made available on the Ariel platform. The exams will be performed with the aid of the Moodle software. The exercises will be of the same kind of the traditional exam. The student will be asked to solve them and to chose the answer he/she considers correct among a set of proposed answers. It will not be required, in this case, to report all the intermediate steps necessary to reach the solution. In presence exams for students that cannot perform the exam online will be performed with the same methodology (multiple choice questions) in order to avoid uneven treatment of students.
Course syllabus
Thermodynamics:
Properties of gases. Perfect and real gases.
Thermodynamic equilibrium. Reversibility of a process. The first law of thermodynamics.
Thermochemistry.
The second law of thermodynamics. Entropy.
Free energy. Chemical potential of a pure substance.
Physical transformations of pure substances. phase transitions. Elements of kinetics of first order phase transitions.
Simple mixtures. Chemical potential of a substance in a mixture.
Chemical equilibrium. Equilibrium constant. Effect of temperature and pressure on equilibrium.
Chemical kinetics:
Rates of chemical reactions. Reaction order. Empirical kinetic equations describing simple reactions.
Parallel reactions. Consecutive reactions. Approximate methods of solution.
Mechanism of complex reactions.
Chemical reaction dynamics. Collision theory. Elements of transition state theory.
Catalysis.
Application of physical chemistry concepts to problems of biological interest:
Antifreeze proteins and their applications
Enzymatic catalysis
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of drug-target interactions
Protein folding
[Program for not attending students with reference to descriptor 1 and 2]:
Thermodynamics:
Properties of gases. Perfect and real gases.
Thermodynamic equilibrium. Reversibility of a process. The first law of thermodynamics.
Thermochemistry.
The second law of thermodynamics. Entropy.
Free energy. Chemical potential of a pure substance.
Physical transformations of pure substances. phase transitions. Elements of kinetics of first order phase transitions.
Simple mixtures. Chemical potential of a substance in a mixture.
Chemical equilibrium. Equilibrium constant. Effect of temperature and pressure on equilibrium.
Chemical kinetics:
Rates of chemical reactions. Reaction order. Empirical kinetic equations describing simple reactions.
Parallel reactions. Consecutive reactions. Approximate methods of solution.
Mechanism of complex reactions.
Chemical reaction dynamics. Collision theory. Elements of transition state theory.
Catalysis.
Application of physical chemistry concepts to problems of biological interest:
Antifreeze proteins and their applications
Enzymatic catalysis
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of drug-target interactions
Protein folding
Properties of gases. Perfect and real gases.
Thermodynamic equilibrium. Reversibility of a process. The first law of thermodynamics.
Thermochemistry.
The second law of thermodynamics. Entropy.
Free energy. Chemical potential of a pure substance.
Physical transformations of pure substances. phase transitions. Elements of kinetics of first order phase transitions.
Simple mixtures. Chemical potential of a substance in a mixture.
Chemical equilibrium. Equilibrium constant. Effect of temperature and pressure on equilibrium.
Chemical kinetics:
Rates of chemical reactions. Reaction order. Empirical kinetic equations describing simple reactions.
Parallel reactions. Consecutive reactions. Approximate methods of solution.
Mechanism of complex reactions.
Chemical reaction dynamics. Collision theory. Elements of transition state theory.
Catalysis.
Application of physical chemistry concepts to problems of biological interest:
Antifreeze proteins and their applications
Enzymatic catalysis
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of drug-target interactions
Protein folding
[Program for not attending students with reference to descriptor 1 and 2]:
Thermodynamics:
Properties of gases. Perfect and real gases.
Thermodynamic equilibrium. Reversibility of a process. The first law of thermodynamics.
Thermochemistry.
The second law of thermodynamics. Entropy.
Free energy. Chemical potential of a pure substance.
Physical transformations of pure substances. phase transitions. Elements of kinetics of first order phase transitions.
Simple mixtures. Chemical potential of a substance in a mixture.
Chemical equilibrium. Equilibrium constant. Effect of temperature and pressure on equilibrium.
Chemical kinetics:
Rates of chemical reactions. Reaction order. Empirical kinetic equations describing simple reactions.
Parallel reactions. Consecutive reactions. Approximate methods of solution.
Mechanism of complex reactions.
Chemical reaction dynamics. Collision theory. Elements of transition state theory.
Catalysis.
Application of physical chemistry concepts to problems of biological interest:
Antifreeze proteins and their applications
Enzymatic catalysis
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of drug-target interactions
Protein folding
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of chedmistry, physics and math.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with execises (see the section Emergency teaching for further details).
Teaching Resources
P. Atkins, J. De Paula, "Atkins' Physical Chemistry", Oxford University Press
Alberto Gambi, Esercizi di Chimica Fisica, Zanichelli
Alberto Gambi, Esercizi di Chimica Fisica, Zanichelli
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists of a written test scored on a scale from 0 to 30.
The test consists of 4 exercises. Each of them is assigned an overall score of 7.5 / 30, for a total of 30/30. Each exercise can be divided into different questions. In this case, each question has its own specific score, for a total of 7.5 / 30. A concept error in solving an exercise or part of it leads to a score 0 for the exercise or part of it respectively. Errors in the measurement units or their omission are considered concept errors. It is required to report in the exam topic all the steps relating to the performance of the exercises (see emergency teaching section on this point). The exam lasts 2 hours. Use of the calculator is allowed. The use of notes, textbooks, computers and cell phones is not allowed.
The test consists of 4 exercises. Each of them is assigned an overall score of 7.5 / 30, for a total of 30/30. Each exercise can be divided into different questions. In this case, each question has its own specific score, for a total of 7.5 / 30. A concept error in solving an exercise or part of it leads to a score 0 for the exercise or part of it respectively. Errors in the measurement units or their omission are considered concept errors. It is required to report in the exam topic all the steps relating to the performance of the exercises (see emergency teaching section on this point). The exam lasts 2 hours. Use of the calculator is allowed. The use of notes, textbooks, computers and cell phones is not allowed.
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Pieraccini Stefano
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment
Teacher's Office (Dipartimento di Chimica - Ground Floor -B Section) or on MS Teams