Chemistry 338: Environmental Physical Chemistry

                                                         Fall Semester, 2001


The course is designed to provide an introduction to the methods and results of Physical Chemistry without the derivations and mathematical complexities normally associated with a more standard course (i.e., Chem 331/332). The subjects of study focus on the concepts of chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium, reactivity, and an intro to quantum mechanics. The goals of the course are to provide a strong background in physical chemical principles for use in environmental and/or biological areas of study.

"Official" Prerequisites: Math 140 (Math for Life Scientists or Calculus I), Chem 220, 222 (Quantitative Analysis with lab)

Class Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 4:15 - 5:30 pm over WHETS (originating from WSU-TC)

Textbook: The Elements of Physical Chemistry, P. Atkins, 3rd edition (W.H. Freeman, 2001)

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Announcements

Class Schedule Web Resources Grading Supplementary material

Professor: Kirk Peterson

Office: WSU-TC/Rm. 207N      office phone: (509) 372-7282

Office Hours: by appointment, phone, or email

E-mail: kipeters@wsu.edu

Class Web Page: http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/~kipeters/Chem338/chem338.html

Tentative Course Schedule

Week
Topic
Activity/Assignment
Aug. 27th
Intro & Ch. 1: States of Matter and the Properties of Gases
 Read Intro & Chapter 1; HW #1 (due Tues., 4th)
HW #1 Solutions 
Sept 3rd
Ch. 2: Thermodynamics: The 1st Law
  Read Chapter 2; HW #2 (due Tues., 11th)
HW #2 Solutions
Sept 10th
Ch. 3: Thermochemistry
  Read Chapter 3; HW #3 (due Tues., 18th)
HW #3 Solutions
Sept 17th
Ch. 4: Thermodynamics: The 2nd Law
  Read Chapter 4; HW #4 (due Tues., 25rd)
HW #4 Solutions
Sept 24th
Wrap up/review; 1st Exam on Thurs.
Exam 1
Oct 1st
Ch. 5: Phase Equilibria
  HW #5 (due Tues., 9th); Read Chapter 5
HW #5 Solutions
Oct 8th
Ch. 6 Simple Mixtures
 HW #6 (due Tues, 16th); Read Chapter 6 (up to pg. 132)
HW #6 Solutions
Oct 15th
Ch. 7 Chemical Equilibrium
  HW #7 (due Tues., 23th); Read Chapter 7
HW #7 Solutions
Oct 22rd
Ch. 8 Equilibrium applications
HW #8 (due Tues., 30th)
HW #8 Solutions
Oct 29th
wrap-up/review for exam; 2nd Exam on Thurs.
 Exam 2
Nov 5th
Ch. 9: Electrochemistry
HW #9 (due Tues., 13th)
HW #9 Solutions
Nov 12th
Finish up Ch. 9; Ch. 10: The Rates of Reactions
HW #10 (due Thurs., 29th)
HW #10 Solutions
Nov 19th
--Thanksgiving Break--
 
Nov 26th
Ch.10 cont.; Ch. 11: Rate laws
 HW #11 (due Tues., 4th)
HW #11 Solutions
Dec 3rd
wrap-up/review; 3rd Exam on Thurs.
Exam 3
Dec 10th
Ch. 12: Quantum Theory (briefly)
  
 Dec 19th
Final Exam: Wed., 3:10 - 5:10
Final
(cummulative)

       To view the homework & exam solutions, your must have the (free) Adobe Acrobat Reader

Supplementary Materials

Assigning oxidation numbers in redox reactions

Balancing redox reactions

Example of using the steady-state approximation

Grading

Notes:

Homework will be assigned weekly (except for weeks with exams).
Note it's relative importance to your grade!

Since the solutions to the homework will be posted on this site immediately
after the due date, no late homework will be accepted (unless it's in the mail
before the posting !)

The hour exams will be given in class - no notes or books.
  Homework 20%
  Hour Exams (3) 60%
  Final Exam 20%
  Total 100%

Web Resources for Physical Chemistry

                 Visit the Peterson Group research page