Course overview
Physical chemistry focusses on rigorous description of the properties of molecules and the vital processes involved in chemical change, while inorganic chemistry primarily aims at understanding how metallic elements interact with other compounds. The two areas are heavily intertwined and hence taught together in this course, using examples connecting the fundamental components to real life applications across the physical and natural world. The course is designed for students majoring in chemistry but is also suitable for those focussing in biological, medical, environmental, engineering or material sciences. A theory component that extends material from first year is coupled to a vital laboratory practical experience with a strong focus on developing skills to fully characterise and rationalise the physical and chemical properties of molecules and to understand how these aspects impact their reactivity.
Course learning outcomes
- Provide a firm understanding of how metals interact with molecules containing the lighter elements of the p-block; understand how symmetry arguments allow a rational understanding of bonding in complex molecules
- use quantum models to elucidate molecular motions; describe the underlying principles of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics, and be able to clearly communicate the link between these quantitative means of characterising chemical reactions
- as part of a team or individually, design, conduct, analyse and interpret results of an experiment, and effectively communicate these inwritten reports and other formats
- predict likely spectral characteristics of given molecular species, and be able to rationalise those characteristics on the basis of structural and electronic arguments
- gain an understanding and appreciation for how fundamental physical and inorganic chemistry impacts on life, environmental and industrial processes
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