3/CH/P1
Physical Chemistry III
Unit description
The aims of this unit
To introduce students to the nature of gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces, including the effects
of minimisation of surface energy and the reactivity of high energy interfaces.
To show students how computational techniques can be used to illuminate all chemical
problems.
To introduce students to the consequences of ion-ion and ion-solvent interactions in electrolyte
solutions and electrode kinetics and to the uses that can be made of such studies
Learning outcomes
Students should be understand the factors determining surface solubility and reactivity and
should be able to explain how differences in reactivity are found between different surfaces.
Students should understand what computational techniques are available to study chemical
problems, how they can be used and how accurate they are likely to be.
Students should be able to account for the solvation of ions and the non-ideality of electrolyte
solutions in respect of equilibrium, kinetic and transport properties, and they should understand
the derivation and implications of the Butler-Volmer equation, the double layer at a solutionelectrode interface, and limiting currents.
[The detailed summary of the content of this unit is given on page 2]
Term (s)
Department
Pre-requisites
Autumn, Spring
Number of modules: 2
Chemistry
Part II compulsory Chemistry units, 3/CH/S
Co-requisites: 3/CH/I1, 3/CH/O1
None
All degree course involving Chemistry
Module: CH731, CH831
Professor M Bowker
Excluded Units
Required for
Convener
Lecturers
CH731
CH831
Prof. M Bowker(5), To be fixed (10), Dr P Hollins(5)
Prof. M G B Drew (10), Dr J E Elliott
TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
CH731
Lectures 20 hrs, Practicals 0 hrs,
CH831
Lectures 20 hrs, Practicals 0 hrs,
ASSESSMENT:
Coursework
Examination
Examination Period
Requirement for a Pass
Re-assessment
Tutorials 3 hrs
Tutorials 3 hrs
Workshops hrs
Workshops hrs
Tutorials
One two-hour paper (Chemistry P), start of Term 9
April/May
An overall mark of at least 40%
April/May
Weight 5%
Weight: 95%
Feb-01
\unitdes\partiii\3chp101.doc
Module No. CH731
Title: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY 4
Degree courses taking this module:
3MC, 3CH, 3CAcc, 3CCS, 3CEcon, 3CFS, 3EnvCh
Co-ordinator:
Professor M Bowker
Textbooks:
P W Atkins, Physical Chemistry, OUP, 6th Ed, 1998
D J Shaw, Introduction to Colloid and Surface Chemistry, Butterworths.
Content:
To be agreed (10) - Colloids and Liquid Interfaces
The colloidal state; surface properties of liquids; methods of measuring interfacial tension;
the Gibbs adsorption equation.; rheological properties of colloidal dispersions.
M Bowker (5) - The Solid-Gas Interface 1
Types of interaction, adsorption-desorption; surface energy and structure; reconstruction;
the dependence of reactivity on surface structure; the effect of lateral interactions on
adsorption energy scanning probe microscopy used for surface structure determination.
P Hollins (5) - The Solid-Gas Interface 2
The application of spectroscopic methods to the understanding of gas-solid interactions,
emphasising vibrational spectroscopies.
Module No. CH831
Title: Physical Chemistry 5
Degree courses taking this module:
3MC, 3CH, 3CAcc, 3CCS, 3CEcon, 3CFS, 3EnvCh
Co-ordinator:
Professor M Bowker
Textbooks: D R Crow, Principles and Applications of Electrochemistry, Chapman & Hall, 4th ed.,
1994
G H Grant and W G Richards, Computational Chemistry, OUP, 1995.
Content:
M G B Drew (10) - Computer Modelling (Required for 3CCS)
Principles of Computer Modelling and Molecular Graphics to study structure and physical
properties in the gas, liquid and solid state. (Molecules, extended solids, both covalent and
ionic, including intercalation compounds).
J M Elliott (10) - Electrolytes and Electrode Kinetics
(a) Electrolytes (5). Definitions of osmotic and activity coefficients and relationships
between them, determination of osmotic coefficient by cryoscopic and vapour pressure
methods; activity coefficient determination with electrochemical cells; general pattern of
results; Debye-Hückel equation and comparison with experimental results; extension of
Debye-Hückel theory; primary kinetic salt effects. Transport phenomena: conductance,
nature of electrophoretic and relaxation effects; Onsager's limiting law; ionic conductivities
and Stokes' law. Diffusion. Solvation.
(b) Electrode Processes (5). Simple electrochemical syntheses; electrolysis and
overpotential; three-electrode set-up for study of overpotential; double layer at electrodeelectrolyte interface; Butler-Volmer equation; limiting current; rotating-disc electrode; ringdisc electrode; polarography.
\unitdes\partiii\3chp101.doc