Basic Physical Chemistry

Description

Based on the principles of physics and mathematics to obtain quantitative relations, Physical Chemistry deals with the structure and dynamics of matter. These relations are mainly concerned with phase and chemical equilibrium, or dynamic processes such as phase transitions, reaction kinetics, charge transport, and energy exchange between systems and surroundings. Importantly, Physical Chemistry is based on quite a small number of fundamental quantities and general physical concepts. This book tries to provide a complete overview of physical chemistry on the level of a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, presenting first all the mathematical concepts needed to understand the formalisms as well as the example problems presented in the subsequent chapters on thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry and, finally, a brief introduction into quantum chemistry and spectroscopy.

Content

1. Mathematical Basics
   1. Differentials and simple differential equations
   2. Logarithms and trigonometric functions
   3. Linearization of mathematical functions, and Taylor series expansion
   4. Treating experimental data – SI-system and error calculation
2. Thermodynamics
   1. Definitions
   2. Gas equations
   3. The fundamental laws of thermodynamics
   4. Heat capacities
   5. Phase equilibrium
   6. The chemical equilibrium
   7. Reaction energy
3. Kinetics
   1. Elementary reactions (one single reaction step, molecularity = order)
   2. The kinetics of more complex multistep chemical reactions
   3. Activation energy
4. Electrochemistry
   1. Electric Conductivity
   2. The electrochemical potential and electrochemical cells
5. Introduction to Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
   1. Models of the atom
   2. The wave character of matter, or the wave-particle-dualism
   3. Mathematical solutions of some simple problems in quantum mechanics: particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, rotator and the hydrogen atom
   4. A brief introduction to optical spectroscopy