Ateneo - UPO

The course provides information on the interactions between energy and matter from the microscopic to the macroscopic level. The principles of classical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics will be considered with particular attention to thermochemistry and energy aspects.

“Thermodynamics, Statistical Thermodynamics and Kinetics” by T. Engel and P. Reid (Pearson Education Press) 2019.

The main objective of the course is to introduce the student to the principles of classical chemical thermodynamics as well as chemical kinetics and to consolidate this knowledge in the various sectors of the chemistry of life and materials. The always rigorous treatment of the theoretical topics will be constantly accompanied by numerical exercises and laboratory applications in order to make clear the relationship between the observables measured experimentally and the theoretical models that allow their interpretation. During the course the student will acquire the language of physical chemistry and will acquire the ability to solve chemical-physical problems relevant in various scientific-technological sectors through the application of the basic concepts of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. At the end of the course, the student will know the thermodynamic principles that regulate the energy exchanges between chemical and physical systems, the conversion between different forms of energy, the physical and chemical balance in multi-component and multi-phase systems. He will be able to collect scientific data through the use of chemical-physical techniques and methodologies, obtaining molecular properties from calorimetric and kinetic data.

Attendance of mathematics, physics and inorganic chemistry courses.

Classroom lessons with slides, videos and exercises. The .pdf files of the lectures will be available on DIR platform.
The laboratory module includes some experiences, individual and/or in small groups, on thermodynamics and kinetics, related to the topics covered during the course.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Written and Oral Examination Written Examination: The written test consists of 6 exercises (4 in thermodynamics and 2 in kinetics). Oral Examination (admission to the oral examination is subject to passing the written test with a minimum grade of 18/30): The oral examination includes: 1 question, drawn at random, concerning the laboratory experiments (the student is required to describe the experiment and discuss the results) and 5 questions on the theoretical topics covered during the course. Students are required to present the duly completed laboratory notebook at the oral examination.

Fundamentals of Classical Thermodynamics. Introduction to the principles of Thermodynamics: from the microscopic properties of chemical systems to the macroscopic properties, system and environment, reversible and irreversible processes, state of thermodynamic equilibrium, equations of state and state functions. Zeroth principle: thermal equilibrium. Kinetic theory of gases, equation of state for ideal gases and equations describing the behavior of real gases. The constant criticisms. The first principle: work, heat, internal energy and enthalpy. Specific heats and thermal capacities. The first principle in action: thermochemistry. The second principle: entropy and Gibbs free energy. Conditions of spontaneity of a chemical reaction. The fundamental equations for a closed system. The third principle: entropies and standard free energies. The chemical potential. The transition from closed to open systems. Pure substances: chemical potential and phase equilibrium conditions, the concept of variance, phase diagrams. The critical point. Homogeneous mixtures: mixing quantities, partial molar quantities and chemical potentials. Heterogeneous mixtures: phase equilibrium conditions and phase rule. Chemical reactions: standard reaction quantities and equilibrium constants. The influence of physical variables on the displacement of equilibrium. Properties of ideal and non-ideal mixtures: activity and activity coefficients. Colligative properties. Chemical Kinetics Relationship between kinetics and thermodynamics. Definition of speed and order of reaction. Kinetic laws and integration. Determination of the order of reaction and the kinetic constant. Rate determining step of reaction and steady state approximation. Reaction rate and temperature: Arrhenius law. Relationship between equilibrium constant and kinetic constant. Mechanisms of chemical reactions. Enzyme kinetics.

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the basic principles and methods of Classical Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics. Knowledge of the main state functions and their relationships, of the calculation of heat, work and efficiency; knowledge of the concept and use of the chemical potential, also in relation to the laws of chemical equilibrium; knowledge of the principles of kinetics and of the relationships that link reaction rate and reaction mechanism. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to solve problems involving thermodynamic and kinetic laws; ability in the numerical solution of chemical-physical problems; ability to recognize and quantify elements related to thermodynamics in complex problems and processes; ability to solve problems of chemical kinetics related to the reaction rate. Autonomy of judgment: ability to critically analyze the elements related to chemical thermodynamics and kinetics in complex and realistic problems. This aspect is mainly assessed through the written test by solving appropriate problems. Communication skills: ability to relate on scientific topics, and in particular chemical-physical, in a precise, concise and clear way, both in writing and orally. It is assessed during the exam by analyzing the language used by students in answering oral questions. Learning skills: ability to use the didactic material for a critical and reasoned study, also for a subsequent autonomous acquisition of higher knowledge. It is assessed during the exam through the written exercises.