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CHEM41430

Academic Year 2024/2025

Advanced Topics in Phys Chem (CHEM41430)

Subject:
Chemistry
College:
Science
School:
Chemistry
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Nadia Elghobashi-Meinhardt
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module covers a range of advanced physical chemistry subjects including advanced Advanced Kinetics, Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy. In the first part, the dynamics of molecular collisions are described in detail in terms of the motion of molecules along and through potential energy surfaces. The factors that affect the rates of chemical reactions are reviewed. Both the collision theory and the transition state theory are introduced in order to provide a quantitative explanation for reaction rates in gases and in liquids. In the second part,“Models of Bonding” aims to provide an understanding of the mathematical formulation of molecular quantum mechanics. This part considers the origin of the strengths, numbers, and three-dimensional arrangement of chemical bonds between atoms. The electronic structure of molecules is specifically analyzed in terms of two quantum mechanical theories, namely, valence bond theory and molecular orbital theory. In the third part, “Magnetic resonance” aims to provide an understanding of the physical basis of NMR spectroscopy, including; (i) the factors influencing resonance linewidth and the relaxation mechanisms/conditions under which the lines are usefully narrow; (ii) how 1H magnetisation can be manipulated by the user to edit the spectra, to for instance; (iii) generate spatial resolution in e.g. MR imaging; (iv) the link between dynamic molecular processes and relaxation/lineshape and how these properties can be used to interrogate function in condensed matter. Each topic will be illustrated with selected examples of recent NMR-enabled research.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:
A. Advanced Kinetics
1) Describe reaction mechanisms. 2) Describe reaction mechanism of polymerization. 3) Describe molecular motion in gases using the kinetic model of gases. 4) Provide a quantitative explanation for rates of bimolecular elementary reactions using the collision theory. 5) Understand how the RRK model predicts the steric factor and rate constant of unimolecular reactions. 6) Describe the factors that affect the rates of diffusion-controlled reactions in solution and understand how the material balance equation takes account of diffusion, convection, reaction. 7) Understand how the concepts of statistical thermodynamics can be applied to the calculation of rate constants using the Eyring equation of the transition state theory.
B. Models of Bonding
1) Describe the property of electron spin. 2)Describe the structure of many-electron atoms in terms of the orbital approximation. 3) Describe the Pauli principle and its implications for Hund’s rules and for the nature of singlet and triplet states. 4) Understand the use of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation in the estimation of the molecular potential energy curve. 5) Describe the electronic structure of homonuclear diatomic molecules in terms of sigma bonds and pi bonds using the valence bond theory. 6) Describe the electronic structure of polyatomic molecules in terms of promotion and hybridization using the valence bond theory. 7) Describe the electronic structure of diatomic molecules in terms of the linear combination of atomic orbitals using the molecular orbital theory. 8) Understand the emergence of bonding orbitals, anti-bonding orbitals, sigma orbitals, and pi orbitals in the context of the molecular orbital theory. 9) Understand the role of polar bonds, electronegativity, and the variation principle in describing the electronic structure of selected heteronuclear diatomic molecules. 10) Describe the electronic structure of polyatomic systems in the Hückel approximation
C. Magnetic Resonance
1) Understand the physical basis for the unusual information content and appearance of NMR spectra and the causes of low sensitivity. 2) Understand the link between dynamics and relaxation mechanisms in NMR and how these affect the spectra and provide information about dynamic molecular processes. 3) Understand the advantages of pulsed techniques and Fourier analysis in manipulating and presenting the spectral information. 4) Describe the applications of these principles through case studies in multiple-pulse NMR and MR imaging

Indicative Module Content:

This module is an introduction to advanced physical chemistry subjects. This includes the following subjects:

A. Advanced Kinetics
1) Reaction mechanisms. 2) Example of reaction mechanism - polymerization. 3) Molecular motion in gases using the kinetic model of gases. 4) Quantitative explanation for rates of bimolecular elementary reactions using the collision theory. 5) The RRK model predicts the steric factor and rate constant of unimolecular reactions. 6) Factors that affect the rates of diffusion-controlled reactions in solution and understand how the material balance equation takes account of diffusion, convection, reaction. 7) Apply statistical thermodynamics to the calculation of rate constants using the Eyring equation of the transition state theory.

B. Models of Bonding
1) Describe the property of electron spin. 2) Describe the structure of many-electron atoms in terms of the orbital approximation. 3) Describe the Pauli principle and its implications for Hund’s rules and for the nature of singlet and triplet states. 4) Understand the use of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation in the estimation of the molecular potential energy curve. 5) Describe the electronic structure of homonuclear diatomic molecules in terms of bonds and π bonds using the valence bond theory. 6) Describe the electronic structure of polyatomic molecules in terms of promotion and hybridization using the valence bond theory. 7) Describe the electronic structure of diatomic molecules in terms of the linear combination of atomic orbitals using the molecular orbital theory. 8) Understand the emergence of bonding orbitals, anti-bonding orbitals, orbitals, and π orbitals in the context of the molecular orbital theory. 9) Understand the role of polar bonds, electronegativity, and the variation principle in describing the electronic structure of selected heteronuclear diatomic molecules. 10) Describe the electronic structure of polyatomic systems in the Hückel approximation

C. Magnetic Resonance
1) Understand the physical basis for the unusual information content and appearance of NMR spectra and the causes of low sensitivity. 2) Understand the link between dynamics and relaxation mechanisms in NMR and how these affect the spectra and provide information about dynamic molecular processes. 3) Understand the advantages of pulsed techniques and Fourier analysis in manipulating and presenting the spectral information. 4) Describe the applications of these principles through case studies in multiple-pulse NMR and MR imaging

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

64

Lectures

36

Tutorial

4

Total

104


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Enquiry & problem-based learning

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Continuous assessment during trimester will be composed of exercises and quizzes. Week 4 Graded No
10
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Continuous assessment during trimester will be composed of exercises and quizzes. Week 12 Graded No
10
No
Exam (In-person): Comprehensive written examination will take place at the end of the trimester. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
70
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Continuous assessment during trimester will be composed of exercises and quizzes. Week 8 Graded No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Dermot Brougham Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Gareth Redmond Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Tues 09:00 - 10:50