NWI-MOL135
Thermodynamics
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-MOL135
Credits (ECTS)3
CategoryPB (Propaedeutic)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; Moleculaire Wetenschappen;
Lecturer(s)
PreviousNext 4
Lecturer
drs. E.P.M. Heijmen
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
ir. A.A. Hoekstra
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
Y.J.M.M. Krijnen-van Rijckevorsel
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. H.L.M. Meekes
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. H.L.M. Meekes
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2020
Period
KW2  (02/11/2020 to 24/01/2021)
Starting block
KW2
Course mode
full-time
RemarksPhysical Chemistry 1
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
The student who has finished the course is able to solve basic thermodynamic problems in physical chemistry on the basis of the perception and experience gained, involving:
  • reversible and irreversible processes
  • colligative processes
  • entropy as a driving force
  • (electro)chemical reactions
  • efficiency of processes
  • Boltzmann statistics
Content
The functionality of materials is determined by the properties of and the interactions between its molecules. In practice it is impossible to keep track of all these interactions because of the large number of molecules  in the material. Therefore, one describes the material properties in terms of macroscopic quantities as an average over large numbers of molecules.
In the course Thermodynamics the material properties are described in terms of temperature, pressure and volume, finally leading to the energy of the systems in terms of heat and work. It turns out that even without knowledge of the microscopic interactions between the molecules surprisingly many macroscopic thermodynamic properties can be understood and even forecast.
Two key notions are needed for that: Energy and entropy, which together form the free energy. Free energy is central in thermodynamics as it drives all kinds of processes like chemical reactions, phase transitions and osmosis.

Instructional Modes
each week:
2h lectures
1h tutor classes
2h exercise classes (tutorials)
1h lectures

 
Level

Presumed foreknowledge

Test information
The written exam determines the final grade and consists of four problems, each divided into four sub-problems. All 16 sub-problems have an equal weight. Graphical Calculators are prohibited during the written exam.
Specifics
Graphical Calculators are prohibited during the written exam.
Required materials
Book
P.W. Atkins & Julio De Paula, Physical chemistry, 11th edition. Editions 9 and higher can also be used.
ISBN:978-0-19-876986-6
Title:Atkin's Physical Chemistry
Author:Peter Atkins, Julio de Paula, James Keeler
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Edition:11
Syllabus
Study guide available through course website at the start of the course.

Instructional modes
Lecture

Tutor classes

Tutorials

Tests
Exam
Test weight1
Test typeExam
OpportunitiesBlock KW2, Block KW3