Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM*2820 )

Code and section: CHEM*2820 *01

Term: Fall 2023

Details

General Information

Department of Chemistry 
University of Guelph 
Fall 2023

Calendar Description

CHEM*2820  Thermodynamics and Kinetics  Fall Only  (LEC: 3, LAB: 3)  [0.50] 

This course examines the laws and applications of chemical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics.

Prerequisite(s): CHEM*1050, (1 of IPS*1510, MATH*1090, MATH*1210, MATH*2080)  
Restriction(s): CHEM*2880, PHYS*2240  
Department(s): Department of Chemistry  
Location(s): Guelph  

 

Course Materials

Reference Materials

  • Atkins’ Physical Chemistry, 12th or 11th Editions by P. Atkins, J. de Paula, J. Keeler, Oxford University Press.

Two copies are available at the Reserve Desk in McLaughlin Library.

 

Course Content and Objectives

Major Topics

properties of gases, laws of thermodynamics, phases, mixtures, non-electrolyte solutions, equilibria, chemical kinetics, reaction dynamics

Grading Policy

Lab Reports (30%), Midterm Exam (30%), Final Exam (40%). Students must obtain a grade of at least 40% on the final exam to pass the course.

Important Dates

Midterm Exam: October 17, 2023
Final Exam: December 6, 2023

Degree Context

This is a required course for the Honours BSc programs in Chemistry and Chemical Physics. The course is usually taken in the 5th semester.

Teaching Objectives

CHEM*2820 is intended to provide a background in the fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, and their applications to modern science. The material is presented at a level of depth that will allow it to be used as a foundation for further study. Topics in thermodynamics include ideal and non-ideal gases, the three laws, physical transformations of pure substances, simple mixtures, and chemical equilibria. The latter part of the course includes chemical kinetics and reaction dynamics.

 

Lab Content and Objectives

Labs are conducted in SSC 2109 and consist of one three-hour lab per week. A detailed lab schedule is pro- vided in the lab outline. During the first lab students will be assigned partners and an experiment schedule and receive an introduction and orientation to the lab. Lab manuals will be available for cash sale in the chemistry department during the first week of lab. Students should bring appropriate PPE with them (lab coat, goggles, closed shoes, facemask) and a bound laboratory notebook to their first experimental lab. The lab co-ordinator uses a separate Courselink site to post grades, lab report dropboxes, and for a lab discussion group. Any changes to the lab or the lab schedule will be posted on the lab Courselink site. For more informa- tion including a schedule for all experiments, please refer to the lab outline document on the CourseLink website.

Learning Outcomes for Labs

By the end of this lab, you should be able to:

  1. Carry out thermodynamic and kinetic experiments in a safe, accurate and precise manner. This includes:
    (a) Performing experiments under constant T and constant P conditions
    (b) Operating a bomb calorimeter
    (c) Operating a UV-VIS spectrometer and plate-reader
  2. Perform appropriate calculations and graphical analysis to determine thermodynamic and kinetic values
    (K, k, Ea, ∆H, ∆S, ∆G etc.) and their associated errors. 3. Create lab reports in a research article style.

 

University Statements

Covid Information

Please note that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may necessitate a revision of the format of course offerings, changes in classroom protocols, and academic schedules. Any such changes will be announced via CourseLink and/or class email. This includes on-campus scheduling during the semester, mid-terms and final examination schedules. All University-wide decisions will be posted on the COVID-19 website and circulated by email.

Students are encouraged to wear a face mask in order to attend class and lab.

Please note, these guidelines may be updated as required in response to evolving University, Public Health or government directives.

Appropriate Online Behaviour

Inappropriate online behaviour will not be tolerated. Examples of inappropriate online behaviour include:

  • Posting inflammatory messages about your instructor or fellow students
  • Using obscene or offensive language online
  • Copying or presenting someone else's work as your own
  • Adapting information from the Internet without using proper citations or references
  • Buying or selling term papers or assignments
  • Posting or selling course materials to course notes websites
  • Having someone else complete your quiz or completing a quiz for/with another student
  • Stating false claims about lost quiz answers or other assignment submissions
  • Threatening or harassing a student or instructor online
  • Discriminating against fellow students, instructors and/or TAs
  • Using the course website to promote profit-driven products or services
  • Attempting to compromise the security or functionality of the learning management system
  • Sharing your username and password
  • Recording lectures without the permission of the instructor

E-mail Communication

As per university regulations, all students are required to check their <uoguelph.ca> e-mail account regularly: e-mail is the official route of communication between the University and its students.

When You Cannot Meet a Course Requirement

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor (or designated person, such as a teaching assistant) in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the undergraduate calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration.

Illness

Medical notes will not normally be required for singular instances of academic consideration, although students may be required to provide supporting documentation for multiple missed assessments or when involving a large part of a course (e.g. final exam or major assignment).

Drop Date

Courses that are one semester long must be dropped by the end of the last day of classes; two-semester courses must be dropped by the last day of classes in the second semester. The regulations and procedures for Dropping Courses are available in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Copies of out-of-class assignments

Keep paper and/or other reliable back-up copies of all out-of-class assignments: you may be asked to resubmit work at any time.

Accessibility

The University promotes the full participation of students who experience disabilities in their academic programs. To that end, the provision of academic accommodation is a shared responsibility between the University and the student.

When accommodations are needed, the student is required to first register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Documentation to substantiate the existence of a disability is required, however, interim accommodations may be possible while that process is underway.

Accommodations are available for both permanent and temporary disabilities. It should be noted that common illnesses such as a cold or the flu do not constitute a disability.

Use of the SAS Exam Centre requires students to book their exams at least 7 days in advance, and not later than the 40th Class Day.

Academic Misconduct

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community – faculty, staff, and students – to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring. University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection.

Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Recording of Materials

Presentations which are made in relation to course work—including lectures—cannot be recorded or copied without the permission of the presenter, whether the instructor, a classmate or guest lecturer. Material recorded with permission is restricted to use for that course unless further permission is granted.
By enrolling in a course, unless explicitly stated and brought forward to their instructor, it is assumed that students agree to the possibility of being recorded during lecture, seminar or other “live” course activities, whether delivery is in-class or online/remote. If a student prefers not to be distinguishable during a recording, they may:

  1. turn off their camera
  2. mute their microphone
  3. edit their name (e.g., initials only) upon entry to each session
  4. use the chat function to pose questions.

Students who express to their instructor that they, or a reference to their name or person, do not wish to be recorded may discuss possible alternatives or accommodations with their instructor.

Resources

The Academic Calendars are the source of information about the University of Guelph’s procedures, policies and regulations which apply to undergraduate, graduate and diploma programs.