Download CHEM 482: Physical Chemistry II

CHEM 482: Physical Chemistry II
Spring 2010
MWF 10:00-10:50 in 125 Chapman Hall
Instructor: Prof. Christopher Fecko
Office: 117 Caudill Labs
e-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tuesday 1:00-2:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00-12:00 pm
or by appointment
Course Description
We will explore the theories and applications of quantum chemistry and spectroscopy. By the end of this
course, an active participant should be able to:
• outline the principles of quantum mechanics, with particular emphasis on those aspects that
distinguish this theory from classical physics
• describe the internal structure and energetic properties of atoms and molecules
• explain how atomic and molecular parameters, such as bond lengths and binding energies, can be
derived from various spectroscopic measurements
• solve theoretical and numerical problems related to the topics described in the three previous
course goals at the level of the assigned homework
Prerequisites
CHEM 481 (PHYS 116, PHYS 117 and MATH 383)
Textbook
Physical Chemistry, 8th Edition by Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula (primary)
Quantum Mechanics Demystified by David McMahon (supplemental electronic book)
(online access is available via the UNC-CH library, http://webcat.lib.unc.edu/record=b5160967)
Course Outline (Also see the accompanying page for a more detailed schedule of topics.)
Development of Quantum Mechanics
Chapter 1 in Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
Chapters 1 & 2 in McMahon’s Quantum Mechanics Demystified
January 11 – January 27
General Concepts and Applications of Quantum Mechanics
Chapters 1 & 2 in Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
Chapter 2 in McMahon’s Quantum Mechanics Demystified
January 29 – February 17
Atomic Structure
Chapter 3 in Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
February 19 – March 24
Molecular Structure
Chapter 4 in Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
March 26 – April 12
Molecular Spectroscopy
Chapters 6 and 7 in Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
April 14 – April 28
Reading and Assignments
Lectures for this course will be based on the material in Atkins’ and McMahon’s texts according to the
approximate schedule on the attached page. Lectures may also include supplemental material that is not
included in the text. Unless otherwise noted, you are responsible for the material covered in the specified
sections of the text as well as the material covered in class.
Although it is most important to understand the conceptual basis of the topics we cover in this course, it is
also essential that you are able to apply the concepts by solving mathematical problems. For most
students, the ability to solve problems quickly (as is required on quizzes or exams) requires much
practice. For each section of the course, I will suggest problems that cover much of the important
material; these problem sets will not be collected. I will also periodically assign problems that require
you to use the mathematical software Mathcad to explore a few concepts in more detail; these Mathcad
problems will be collected and graded for content and clarity. Late homework will not be accepted. (One
CD of Matcad 14 software will be provided to each registered student by the Chemistry Department.)
You may work together on all homework assignments, but the work you submit for grading must be your
own. All assignments will be posted on the course Blackboard site and announced in class.
Examinations and Grading
Quizzes: There will be five short (~20 min) quizzes given during class time, scheduled for January 27,
February 10, February 24, April 7 and April 21. I will drop your lowest quiz score when computing your
final quiz grade.
Midterm Exam: There will be a 50 minute exam during class time on March 17.
Final Exam: There will be a final, cumulative exam on May 5 at 8:00 am.
Quizzes and exams may contain conceptual, theoretical and numerical problems. I will provide a table of
integrals and the values of numerical constants that are necessary to complete the problems. I will also
provide many of the equations that are needed. Please bring a calculator to all quizzes and exams.
If you have a conflict with a quiz or midterm exam date, contact me at least 2 weeks in advance of the
exam, and I will consider giving it to you early. Missed quizzes and exams will receive a score of 0;
make-ups will only be permitted in extreme circumstances that are documented by a written explanation.
Final Grade: Your final grade will be determined by your average Mathcad problem set grade (10%),
quiz grade (30%), midterm exam grade (25%) and final exam grade (35%).
Honor Code
(Policy adopted by the faculty of the Department of Chemistry on September 9, 1977)
“Since all graded work (including homework to be collected, quizzes, papers, mid-term examinations,
final examinations, research proposals, laboratory results and reports, etc.) may be used in the
determination of academic progress, no collaboration on this work is permitted unless the instructor
explicitly indicates that some specific degree of collaboration is allowed. This statement is not intended
to discourage students from studying together or work together on assignments which are not to be
collected.”