Chem 331: Physical Chemistry I


Course Description: basic thermodynamics (eqn. of state, 1st law, thermochemistry); free energy and entropy; phase equilibria; properties of solutions of electrolytes and non-electrolytes

Prerequisites: Math 172 & Phys 202 (or equivalent) with a grade of C or better

Class Schedule: MWF 9:10-10:00 am in Fulmer 125

Textbook: Physical Chemistry, by T. Engel and P. Reid (Benjamin Cummings, 2005 or Prentice Hall, 2006)


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Notices/Announcements:


Staff and Office Hours:

Instructor:

    Prof. Kirk Peterson

      Office: Fulmer 104B (335-7867)

      Office Hours: Mon, 5:15-6:00; Tues, 10-11, Fri, 1:00-2:30 (or by appointment)

      E-mail: kipeters@wsu.edu

Class Web Page (this site):

      http://tyr0.chem.wsu.edu/~kipeters/Chem331/Fall07


Grading:

Grading Scale:

850 - 1000: A

800 - 849: A-/B+

700 - 799: B

650 - 699: B-/C+

590 - 649: C

560 - 589: C-

500 - 559: D

< 500 : F

in past years the class average has been about 690, which is a B-

Notes: Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes the inappropriate use of solution manuals for homework sets, as well as the usual forms of copying, etc. Working on homework in a group is fine, but the work you turn in must be your own.

To check your current grades (incl. exams), click here

Note: these are now displayed and sorted by the last 3 numbers of your student ID (numbers like 034 displayed as 34)


Notes on homework assignments

(1) Since we do not have a grader for this class, all problems will not be graded. On the day the homework is due, one problem will be randomly selected for grading and only this one will be collected. Thus it is recommended to start each problem on a new sheet of paper. Detailed solutions to all the problems will still be posted on this website.

(2) Show all work in order to get credit - this includes major unit conversions too (partial credit will be given, but only if we can figure out what you actually did)

(3) Use full precision for fundamental constants and masses - the data should dictate the final precision and not your rounding of known constants

(4) All final answers should have appropriate units noted

(5) Be aware of significant figures in your final result


Tentative Weekly Schedule :

Date
Topic
Activity/Assignment
 Aug. 20-24
Chapter 1:
Intro, Temperature, and Equations of State
Read Ch. 1
HW assign. #1 here
(Due Wed. 8/29)
HW #1 solns here
Aug. 27 - 31
 Chapter 2:
The First Law of Thermodynamics
Read Ch. 2
HW assign. #2 here
(Due Fri. 9/7)
HW #2 solns here
Sept. 3
Labor Day, no class
 
Sept. 5 - 7
 Ch. 2 wrap; Chapter 3:
Manipulating State Functions
Start reading Ch. 3
HW assign. #3 here
(Due Mon. 9/17)
HW #3 solns here
Sept. 10 - 14
 Ch. 3 continued
Keep pushing through Ch. 3
Sept. 17 - 19
Chapter 4: Thermochemistry
HW assign. #4 here
(Due Mon. 10/1)
HW #4 solns here
Fri., Sept. 21
Chapters 1-3
1st Exam
Exam 1 solns here
Sept. 24 - 28
Chapter 5: Entropy and the 2nd and 3rd Laws of Thermodynamics
Start reading Ch. 5
Oct. 1 - 5
 Chapter 5 continued
HW assign. #5 here
(Due Mon. 10/8)
HW #5 solns here
Oct. 8 - 12
 Chapter 6: Chemical Equilibrium
Start reading Ch. 6
HW assign. #6 here
(Due Mon. 10/15)
HW #6 solns here
Handout: Fundamental Eqns.
Oct. 15 - 19
 Chapter 6 continued
Keep reading Ch. 6
HW assign. #7 here
(Due Mon. 10/22)
HW #7 solns here
Extra: The Magic Square
Oct. 22 - 26
 Chapter 7: Real Gases
Read Ch. 7
Wed., Oct. 24
Chapters 4 - 6
2nd Exam
Exam 2 solns here
Oct. 29 - Nov. 2
Chapter 8: Phase Diagrams
Read Ch. 8
HW assign. #8 here
(Due Mon. 11/5)
HW #8 solns here
Nov. 5 - 9
Chapter 9: Ideal and Real Solutions
Read Ch. 9
HW assign. #9 here
(Due Wed. 11/14)
HW #9 solns here
Nov. 12
Veteran's Day, no class
 
Nov. 14
 Finish Ch. 9
 
Fri., Nov. 16
Chapters 7 - 9
3rd Exam
Solutions here
Nov. 19 - 23
Thanksgiving Break
 
Nov. 26 - 28
 Chapter 10: Electrolyte Solutions
Read Ch. 10
HW assign. #10 (last one!) here
(Due Wed. 12/5)
HW #10 solns here
Dec. 3 - 7
Ch. 10. continued
Review on Friday
Fri, Dec. 14
Chapters 1 - 10
Final Exam (7:30-10 am)
Proposed front page of Final here

 


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