Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2007 - 2008
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Module Aims | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of thermodynamics. To develop reasoning and problem-solving skills. To develop understanding of the theory underlying chemical reactions and to be able to predict the outcomes of elementary reactions. To promote a knowledge of the concepts of elementary chemical kinetics. To improve students' ability to apply theory to practical problems, relevant to industry, research and environmental issues. To develop an appreciation of the complexity of the energy question. To introduce the student to the role of chemistry in the production and use of energy. To provide the student with knowledge of the past, modern and future methods of energy production. To provide the student with an awareness of current hot topics in energy.
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Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Students should be familiar with: The concepts enthalpy, entropy and free energy. Equilibrium reactions and chemical potentials. Order and rates of reactions. Integrated rate equations. Temperature dependence of chemical kinetics. Collision and activated complex theory. The importance of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics in the energy cycles and the technical aspects of energy production and use. The chemistry behind energy production and use. - The latest advances in energy production. Current energy related environmental issues. The future directions/possibilities for energy production and use.
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NOTE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indicative Syllabus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Review: definitions and variables, R, T, U etc.; state functions; first law. - Second law, entropy, free energy, Gibbs-Helmholtz equation, Clausius-Clapeyron equation, Raoult''s Law, Gibbs-Duhem equation - Measurement of thermodynamic quantities, standard entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy, third law. - Equilibrium and kinetics, rates and order of reactions, stoichiometry vs. molecularity, mechanisms, determining the rate law, law of mass action. - Methods of determining reaction, overall order of a reaction, elementary reactions and complex mechanisms, reaction energetics, microscopic reversibility, steady state approximation. - Temperature dependence of reaction rates, Arrhenius equation, activation energy and activated complex theory, measuring the activation energy, sampling and continuous methods, collision theory. -Complex reactions, chain processes, initiation, propagation, termination, reactions in solution, transition state theory. - Natural energy flows. - Human energy consumption. - Fossils fuels; - Origins, carbon cycle, coal, oil, gas. - Introduction to nuclear energy; - Radioactivity, naturally occurring isotopes, fission, fission reactors, hazards, fusion. - Introduction to renewable energy; - Solar (heating and photovoltaics) biomass (thermal and biochemical conversion), biofuels (biodiesel and bioethanol), wind, ocean and geothermal energy. - Future clean energy; - The hydrogen economy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Essential: Physical Chemistry by R. A. Alberty, Wiley & Sons, 1993. The Essential Guide to Environmental Chemistry, G. Schwedt, Wiley 2001. Supplementary: Environmental Chemistry, I Williams. Wiley 2001. Chemistry of the Environment, T. Spiro, W. M. Stigliani. Prentice-Hall 1996. Basic Concepts of Environmental Chemistry, D.W. Connelly, Lewis 1997. Energy Systems and Sustainability, G. Boyle et al, Oxford, 2003. Renewable Energy, G. Boyle, Oxford, 2004. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AC | BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AS | BSc in Analytical Science | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CF | BSc in Chemistry with French | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CG | BSc in Chemistry with German | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ESH | BSc Environmental Science & Health | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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