Physical methods of chemistry

lchm1352  2024-2025  Louvain-la-Neuve

Physical methods of chemistry
3.00 credits
0 h + 60.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Language
French
Main themes
The course contains a practical and theoretical formation to experimental methods of physical chemistry.

The aspects treated are mainly :
  • Thermodynamics in gas or condensed state (thermochemistry, phase equilibrium, chemical equilibrium, properties of solutions, ...)
  • Kinetics of chemical reactions (determination of reaction orders, rate constants, ...)
  • Transport properties (kinetic theory of gases, viscosity of gases and liquids, electric field effects, ...)
  • Electrochemistry (conductivity, ...)
  • Molecular properties (spectroscopies: IR, UV, ..., dielectric properties, ...).
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 The objectives of the course are to integrate and analyze in a critical way the acquisitions and treatments of experimental data necessary to study a chemical problem.
Emphasis is put on the polyvalent character of techniques and methods used.
 
Content
  • Physical chemistry = why a change (chemical/physical).
  • Different from other labs / we aim to understand the concepts you have seen.
  • Data collected in the lab are to be interpreted to understand the physical/chemical phenomena.
In an ideal reality, the approach would be :
  • Problem
  • Identify the questions it raises
  • Develop relevant experiments in view of these questions
  • Carry out these experiments and collect data
  • Interpret the data
  • Formulate answers/answers to the initial questions
  • Review the initial problem
Teaching methods
  • Laboratory 8h30-5h30
  • Careful handling (products, ....)
  • Gown and glasses are mandatory
  • No smoking or eating in the lab
  • Clean everything at the end (the end = after you have interpreted your results)
  • Syringes vs. pipettes
  • Help your classmates in the morning / interactive learning by explanation
Evaluation methods
  • reports
  • 1 written exam
  • laboratory behavior rating
Other information
Interpretation of the results :
  • On computer
  • End of day report or sheet with results (by mail)
  • Tools learned in statistics class (confidence intervals/prediction, CS, regression, ... )
Report :
  • 1 per group/ heading: Names; Group nr, Dte, Session nr, Title)
  • Report writing is important and crucial in these labs.
  • Learning: COMMUNICATE YOUR RESULTS
  • 4 parts (principle and goals; measured quantities, experimental results, interpretation !!!!!!!).
  • Comparison with literature (database, NIST, Handbook of Physics, ...). Mention where you find these data.
  •  Value does not have to be exact, but explain well why, ... Reflect on your results.
  •  No lab notebook to hand in (notebook = personal)
  • Pay attention to the units
  • 4/5 pages
Online resources
Explained labs available on moodle.
Teaching materials
  • fiches de laboratoire (sur moodle)
Faculty or entity


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Additionnal module in Chemistry