UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH MODULE RECORD
MODULE CODE: CHM1003
CREDITS: 20
LEVEL: 4
MODULE TITLE: Physical Chemistry 1
PRE-REQUISITE(S): None
CO-REQUISITE(S): None
COMPENSATABLE WITHIN THIS PROGRAMME: Yes
SHORT MODULE DESCRIPTOR: This module provides an introduction to fundamental
theoretical concepts in physical chemistry. It also provides training in fundamental practical
techniques of experimentation, data acquisition and interpretation, and good laboratory practice.
ELEMENTS OF ASSESSMENT:
COURSEWORK 50% EXAMINATION 50%
Give Subject Assessment Panel Group to which module should be linked ......CHM
Minimum pass mark for professional body accreditation ........n/a........................
JACS Code: F100
MODULE AIMS: To provide knowledge and understanding of the theoretical concepts of
physical chemistry; to equip students with experimental, data manipulation and analysis skills
and communicate the results in a laboratory report.
ASSESSED LEARNING OUTCOMES: After completing the module the student should be able
to:
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the foundations, facts and principles of
physical chemistry.
 Execute a series of tasks according to a defined plan using basic laboratory equipment to
make and record measurements accurately for a series of well-defined experiments in
physical chemistry
 Retrieve, interpret, and analyse chemical information of a quantitative nature obtained by
experimentation, and communicate the results in a laboratory report according to a set of
guidelines
INDICATIVE SYLLABUS CONTENT:
Theoretical and experimental physical chemistry covering fundamental areas including but not limited to:
Structure of the atom: nuclear structure, isotopes, radioactivity. Electron as a wave/particle. States of
matter: perfect gases, equation of state, kinetic theory. Real gas, Van der Waals and virial equations,
intermolecular forces. Phase diagrams and phase rule. Perfect solutions, real solutions, colligative
properties.
Chemical bonding: covalent bonding. Molecular orbital treatment of two-centre bonding.
Reaction kinetics: Rate equations, order, stoichiometry, molecularity. Mechanism, rate determining
step. Collision theory, activation energy, Arrhenius equation.
Ions at equilibrium: activity, acid-base theory. Electrolyte solutions, conductance and equilibria,
hydrodynamic conductivity, Walden’s rule. Kohlraush’s law. Standard electrode potentials.
Electrochemical cells. Measurement of emf.
Thermodynamics: Reversibility and equilibrium. Work and heat. First law of thermodynamics,
enthalpy, Hess’s law, bond energies. Second law of thermodynamics, physical and statistical
explanations of entropy (S). Calculation of ΔS. Gibb’s free energy (G).