CHM 3103: Physical Chemistry 2
Mode of Delivery:
- Online
- Blended mode: mixed online and face -to-face
- Face-to-face
1. Rationale
The module, Physical Chemistry 2, focuses on five (5) areas of physical chemistry important to many aspects of our lives: solutions, colloids, phase equilibrium, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. Solutions are often necessary to facilitate many chemical reactions in life processes or industry while colloids find extensive applications in industries (for pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, paints, adhesives, cosmetics, inks and many others). The applications of electrochemistry are wide spread with great economic significance. A number of life processes also involve electrochemical reactions. Many substances exist in more than one physical state, the most common being solid, liquid and gas. Each of the phases has significantly different physical properties. Knowledge of electrochemistry allows us understand certain biological processes. Rusting of iron, bleaching of stains and photosynthesis are examples of such reactions. Although nuclei of many isotopes are stable, some are unstable and will undergo what are known as nuclear reactions. Such reaction may be useful as in power generation or nuclear medicine but also dangerous as the case in weapons of mass destructions – nuclear weapons.
2. Prerequisite or knowledge
Prior to tackling this module the learner must be familiar with the following concepts covered in Module 2 and 3: chemical thermodynamics, chemistry of solutions and redox reactions. The learner must be able to:
- Distinguish among different solution terminologies such as saturated and
- supersaturated solutions
- Explain the factors affecting solubility and rate of solution
- Explain colligative properties of solutions and calculate related problems
- Distinguish among the different units of concentration and use them in relevant calculations
- Differentiate between exothermic and endothermic processes
- Carry out stoichiometric calculations involving heat changes
- Explain the concept of enthalpy and carry out calculations related to it
- Predict both qualitatively and quantitatively the spontaneity of physiochemical processes based on enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy
- Write balanced redox reactions, carryout experiments and calculations related to redox reactions
3. General objectives
On completion of this module the learner must be able to:
- Explain the driving force to the solution processes
- Explain the effect of temperature and pressure on solubility
- Provide a thermodynamic explanation to the phenomenon of mixing
- Define and explain colligative properties of solutions
- Define and classify the colloid state
- Explain factors that influence colloidal stability
- Draw and explain simple phase diagrams
- Use the concept of redox reactions to explain electrochemical reactions
- Predict the spontaneity of a reaction given the standard reduction potentials
- Use the cell potential to determine the equilibrium constant of a reaction
- Explain the radioactivity phenomenon
- Explain why some elements are stable and others are not
- Carryout calculations related to the radioactivity phenomenon
4. Time
The required time will be 120 hours to complete the module
5. Material
Internet connectivity is essential to successfully complete this module for the purpose
of:
- accessing of learning activities online
- online assessment in form of quizzes, tests, assignments and experiments
- multimedia interaction (including video conferencing)
- e-Library and data base utilization
- interactive group discussions/chat sessions
- access to a library and self-study centre
- access to recommended textbooks and reference materials (web-based learning materials)
Programs
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