Postgraduate taught 

Advanced Functional Materials MSc

Chemical Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 4M CHEM5059

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Chemistry
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will build upon existing knowledge of classical thermodynamics, spectroscopy and quantum mechanics to understanding chemically significant thermodynamic functions and various phase equilibria on the statistical behaviour of bulk samples.

Timetable

18 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorials to be arranged

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

90 minute written examination

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

To provide students with an understanding chemically significant thermodynamic functions and various phase equilibria on the statistical behaviour of bulk samples.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

1. Define thermodynamic terms, and rationalise phenomena including derivation of various thermodynamic laws such Clausius-Clapeyron, Gibbs-Duhem, van't Hoff, and Margules equations; state Dalton's, Raoult's; Henry's and Debye-Hückel limiting law.

2. Demonstrate how statistical thermodynamics can be applied to gain insight into a number of physical, chemical, and biological processes.

3. Express, derive and apply quantitative theories for the dynamics of a reaction, including collision theory, transition state theory, and potential energy surfaces.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.