Unit Code: CHE601
Unit Title: Physical Chemistry
This unit is about advanced concepts in physical chemistry that cover the topics of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and kinetic molecular theory, solutions, colloids, Equilibrium of Phases, Electro chemistry and an introduction to nuclear chemistry. In our study of thermodynamics (thermodynamics comes from the Greek words for βheatβ and βpowerβ), we shall be looking at the first and second laws of thermodynamics as they apply to volume-pressure processes and energy changes associated with chemical reactions. The topics in chemical kinetics will look at rate laws and factors affecting the rates of chemical reactions. In molecular kinetic theory, we shall be looking at explaining the general behavior of gases from a molecular point of view. In solutions, we examine essentially the behaviour of homogenous mixtures involving pure substances. We shall also look at colloids, which differ from solutions only in terms of sizes of the solute. The topic of phase equilibrium looks at the physical transformation of pure substances. Ideas of energy and entropy will be applied to the physical equilibrium among the phases of one or more pure substances under different conditions of temperature and pressure. In electrochemistry, we focus on chemical systems that involve the transfer of electrons or charged species i.e. oxidation β reduction reactions.