University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJ7W-20-2 Title: INORGANIC AND PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY Version: 8

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field: Applied Sciences

Valid from: September 2005 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: USSJR9-20-1 Chemical Principles or USSJRA-20-1 Chemistry in Context

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

      • relate atomic structure to radioactive processes, and give examples of their application.

      • describe and explain properties of metallic compunds based on their bonding and structure.

      • prepare and investigate simple sigma and pi bonded transition metal complexes.

      • explain the physical relationships between different states of matter.

      • analyse the kinetics of complex reaction mechanisms

      • discuss the process of surface absorption and its role in catalysis

      • apply electrochemical data to problems in thermodynamics and inorganic chemistry

Syllabus Content:

d-Block and f-Block Elements: Description of orbitals and elements. Isotopes, forms of radiation and radioactive decay processes. Binding energy. Half-life, rate of radioactive decay. Fission and fusion reactions; energy production, formation of man-made elements. Examples of medical and industrial uses of radioactive isotopes.

Transition Metals and Their Coordination Compounds: Descriptions of ligands, bonding, structure and nomenclature in mononuclear complexes. Types of isomerism in complexes. The crystal field theory approach to four and six co-ordinate species; magnetic and spectroscopic considerations, the spectrochemical series.

Organometallic Chemistry: Bonding, structure and reactivity of carbonyl, alkene and metallocene complexes. Basic MO approach to sigma and pi bonding in complexes. Structure and bonding in simple metal clusters.

Thermodynamics: Ideas of equilibrium and spontaneous change; the second law, entropy and determination of entropy changes.

Molecular Basis of Chemical Kinetics: Consecutive and mulit-step reactions and rate determining step; chain and photochemical reactions and the steady state hypothesis.

Electrochemistry: Electrochemical cells and phase interfaces as sites of e.m.f. Types of electrode systems and concentration cells; the Nernst equation. E.m.f. of reversible galvanic cells. Thermodynamics of electrochemical cells and applications: activity coefficients, solubility products, stabilities of oxidation states, etc.

Surface Chemistry: Definition of adsorption. A brief mention of its importance in, for example, catalysis and chromatography. Gas-solid interfaces: the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Measurement of the enthalpy of adsorption, porosity and pore size distribution.

Teaching and learning methods:

A programme of lectures, tutorials and laboratory work will be used to combine the theoretical and practical components of this module. Areas within the syllabus will be approached through student centred learning using the literature, written handouts, computer tutorials, CD ROMS and video. Students will be able to demonstrate their progress in theoretical and numerical studies by working through problem sheets, and to discuss their progress in the independent study during tutorial sessions.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

Inorganic Chemistry, C.E. Housecroft & A.G. Sharpe, Prentice Hall (2001)

Inorganic Chemistry (2nd edition), G.A. Meissler and D.A. Tarr, Prentice Hall, (1999)

Shriver D.F & Atkins P.W, Inorganic Chemistry (3rd edn), Oxford University Press (1999)

d-Block Chemistry, Oxford University Press (1994)

Elements of Physical Chemistry (4th Edition) P.W. Atkins, Oxford University Press (2005).

Physical Chemistry (7th edition), P.W. Atkins, Oxford University Press (2002).

Basic Chemical Thermodynamics (2nd edition),  E.B. Smith, Oxford University Press (1992).

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting

EX1

Examination – 1.5 hour

1

EX2

Examination – 1.5 hour

1

     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1

Completion of practicals and laboratory reports.

1

CW2

Completion of practicals and laboratory reports.

1

     
 

 

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) NO

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX1

Examination – 1.5 hour

1

EX2

Examination – 1.5 hour

1

     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1

A written exercise based upon the original practicals.

1

CW2

A written exercise based upon the original practicals.

1

     
 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. YES

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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