CHM1102 Basic Physical Chemistry

This course will explore the basic principles of physical chemistry including kinetic theory of gases, reaction kinetics, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, chemical and phase equilibria.

Course Objectives
By the end of the course students should be able to:

• Explain the kinetic theory of gases.
• Determine rates of reactions and derive reaction mechanisms
• Explain electric conductance in solutions.
• Explain basic principles of thermodynamics, heat and work and the expressions involved, equilibria in ionic solutions, electrochemical cells and among phases.
• Handle practical work of the different phenomena. 

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course unit, the students should be able understand the:

• Theoretical treatment of gases, ideal and non-ideal behaviour of gases and correction of non-ideal behaviour of gases.
• Difference between order and molecularity of a reaction, differential and integral rate equations, half-life with examples.
• Concepts of electric conductance by solutions of different ionic strengths.
• Laws of thermodynamics, feasibility of reactions and the relationship among ΔH, ΔS, ΔG and K.
• Equilibrium in ionic reactions and electrochemical cells, concepts of buffer solutions and related applications.
• Raoult’s law and deviations, mixtures, phase equilibria in two component systems, colligative properties and applications.