CHM 307: CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS

CHM 307, in combination with CHM 309, Atomic and Molecular Structure, constitutes a standard year-long introduction to the sub-discipline of chemistry known as physical chemistry. The sequence CHM 307, CHM 309 satisfies entry requirements for graduate programs that require a year of physical chemistry, and the two-course sequence meets the American Chemical Society's physical chemistry requirement for an ACS-approved BA/BS degree in chemistry or biochemistry.

Pre/co-requisites for CHM 307 are

A year of general chemistry,

Two semesters of calculus, and

Two semesters of college-level physics, preferably a physics course that uses calculus.

If you have not completed the prerequisite courses, you should consult the instructor before registering for CHM 307.

In physical chemistry we study the relationships between fundamental physical laws and the behavior of atoms and molecules in many practical settings, using the tools of algebra and elementary calculus. Our intent is to develop an understanding of why chemical substances behave as they do, and to develop an ability to predict how matter will behave under a variety of conditions. The subject matter of physical chemistry addresses practical problems encountered in all the other sub-fields of chemistry as well as in related fields such as biology, geology and environmental science.

The primary focus of CHM 307 is equilibrium chemical thermodynamics and its uses in predicting the position of chemical and/or physical equilibrium. We study the physical and chemical changes that matter undergoes, and relate these changes to fundamental physical laws, especially the laws of classical thermodynamics. We also study applications of these principles to such fields as the behavior of gases (including atmospheric chemistry and physics), the phase relationships among various states of matter, electrochemistry, the chemical behavior of ionic solutions, and the rates of chemical reactions.

In some parts of the course, we will start from basic laws of physics and derive mathematical representations of the behavior of matter that are amenable to experimental verification. In other parts of the course, we will work in the other direction, from observable or measurable behavior of matter to a discovery to the fundamental laws that govern such behavior. Throughout, we will emphasize that our understanding of nature is evolving and incomplete, and that significant breakthroughs to better understanding will likely occur during your careers - and hopefully even through your own work.