COURSE NUMBER CHEMISTRY 115

COURSE TITLE Physical Chemistry III COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE DESCRIPTION Introduction to classical and quantum mechanics,
quantum chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, statistical 1. Fundamentals of Quantum
Quantum Theory
thermodynamics 1.1 Brief historical background on the development of quantum mechanics
COURSE PREREQUISITES Chemistry 112 1.2 Blackbody radiation and Planck’s Quantum Hypothesis
Concurrent with Physics 83 1.3 Einstein’s explanation of the photoelectric effect
COURSE CREDIT 3 units (3 lecture hours) 1.4 De Broglie’s hypothesis of matter waves
1.5 Bohr Theory and the hydrogen atomic spectrum
2. Postulates and Principles of Quantum Mechanics
2.1 Wavefunction and the state of a system
CLASS POLICIES
2.2 Quantum mechanical operators and the eigenvalue problem
2.3 The Schrödinger equation
I. Grading System
Lecture Examinations 70 % 3. Quantum Mechanical Systems
Final Exam 30 % 3.1 The particle in a box (1D, 2D, 3D)
3.1.1 The wavefunction as a solution to the Schrödinger equation
A. Lecture Exams 3.1.2 Energy and probability calculations
There will be 4 lecture exams (during class hours). 3.2 Harmonic oscillator
B. Final Exam 3.3 Rotational motion
Everybody is required to take the final examination. 3.4 Angular momentum and spin angular momentum
C. Passing Mark
4. The Hydrogen Atom and Simple Molecular Systems
Passing is set at 60 %.
4.1 Exact solution of the Schrödinger equation
4.2 Hydrogen atomic orbitals
II. Absences
4.3 Hydrogen molecular ion
The student can commit a maximum of 7 absences. A student who has been
4.4 Hydrogen molecule
absent for more than 7 meetings will be automatically dropped, worse will be
given a grade of 5.0. Any student who, for unavoidable cause, absents himself 5. Molecular Spectroscopy
from the class must obtain an excuse slip. This must be presented to the 5.1 Electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter
instructor not later than the second class session following the student’s return. 5.2 Pure rotational (microwave) spectroscopy
5.3 Vibration-rotation (IR) spectroscopy
5.4 Raman spectroscopy
MAJOR TEXTBOOKS:
6. Kinetic Theory
Theory of Gases
6.1 Relationship between phenomenological and molecular properties
McQuarrie, D.A. and J.D. Simon. 1998. Physical Chemistry. Univ. Science Books.
6.2 The Maxwell velocity distribution function and its application
Atkins, P.W. 2010. Physical Chemistry. 9th ed. (eBook)
6.3 The Maxwell energy distribution and its application
Atkins, P.W. 2006. Physical Chemistry. 8th ed. Oxford University Press.
Laidler, K.J. and J.H. Meiser. 2003. Physical Chemistry. 4th Edition. Houghton- 7. The Boltzmann Distribution Function and Partition Function
Mifflin. 7.1 Postulates of Statistical Mechanics and Ensembles
Castellan, G.W. 1983 Physical Chemistry. 3rd Edition. Benjamin-Cummings. 7.2 Derivation of the Boltzmann distribution function
Alberty, R.A.,R.J. Silbey and M.G. Bawendi. 2005. Physical Chemistry. 4th ed. 7.3 Calculation of partition functions-translational, rotational, vibrational,
Wiley. electronic
Ball, D.W. Physical Chemistry. 2003. Thomson Learning Inc. 7.4 Thermodynamic quantities and their dependence on the partition
function