Course: Chemistry 311: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY Fall 2001

Text Book: Physical Chemistry, Third Edition, K.J. Laidler and J.H. Meiser

Instructor: Dr. B. Ramu Ramachandran
Ph.D, Kansas State University, 1987
 Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Texas, Austin, 1987-89
 Assistant Professor, Louisiana Tech University, 1989-1992
 Associate Professor, Louisiana Tech University, 1992-present
 Program Chair of Chemistry, Louisiana Tech University, 1996-1998
 Academic Director of Chemistry & Physics, Louisiana Tech, 1998-present

Office: Carson-Taylor Hall, Room 316
Office Hours: MWF: 2:00-4:00 PM, TR 10:00-12:00 AM
E-Mail: ramu@chem.latech.edu
Web Page: www.chem.latech.edu/~ramu
Phone: 257-4911

Grading Policy: The letter grade for the course will be based on the following:

  1. Three examinations given during class periods. The average score of these will account for 75% of the total score for the course. You are expected to make every effort to take the examinations at the time they are given. An alternate time may be arranged only for "legitimate" reasons, or excused absences.
  2. Graded homework assignments. Homework problems will be assigned every Monday. They are due the following Monday at the end of the lecture. I will drop your lowest homework score from consideration. The average of the remainder will account for 25% of the total score for the course.
  3. If the class average is below 75% after the third examination, the difference will be added to everybody's score in order to bring the average of the class to 75%. Then the usual 10-point scale (>90: A, 89-80: B, 79-70: C, 69-60: D, >60: F) will be used to determine letter grades.
  4. Any changes to these policies will be my mutual consent of the instructor and the students.
Course Syllabus:

Chapter 1: Nature of Physical Chemistry and Kinetic Theory of Gases
Chapter 2: The First Law of Thermodynamics

Examination 1: Friday, September 28 

Chapter 3: The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 4: Chemical Equilibrium

Examination 2: Friday, October 26 

Chapter 5: Phases and Solutions

Chapter 6: Phase Equilibria
Chapters 7 & 8: Electrolyates & Electrochemical Cells

Examination 3: Wednesday, November 14 

Goals of the course:
To provide an introduction to the use of physical concepts in the study of chemical systems.

Prerequisites by topic:
General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Differential and Integral Calculus, General Physics.

What I expect you to know:

  1. I expect you to have a reasonably firm grasp of the concepts you learned in Freshman Chemistry, such as stoichiometry, unit conversions, basic thermochemistry, and thermodynamic concepts such as enthalpy, entropy and free energy. DO NOT HESITATE TO REFER TO YOUR GENERAL CHEMISTRY TEXTBOOKS IF NECESSARY. SEVERAL GENERAL CHEMISTRY TEXTBOOKS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY.
  2. I expect you to know basic definitions (in terms of the fundamental quantities length, mass and time) of physical concepts such as velocity, acceleration, force, work and energy.
  3. I expect you to know the equation for a straight line and the meaning of each term in that equation.
  4. I expect you to know how to solve a quadratic such as ax2 + bx + c = 0.
  5. I expect you to be able to differentiate (with respect to a variabe, say, x), simple functions such as xn ( n = any number, positive or negative, not necessarily an integer), ln u, trigonometric functions of u and expoentials such as e–u, where u = u( x).
  6. I expect you to be able to integrate (with respect to a variabe, say, x), simple functions such as xn ( n = any number, positive or negative, not necessarily an integer), trigonometric functions of u and expoentials such as e–u, where u = u( x), both as indefinite (no limits) and definite (apply limits after integration) integrals.
What I expect you to do:
  1. I expect you to come to class regularly, keep up with the lectures (which may deviate from the text book occasionally) and ask pertinent questions often and without hesitation.
  2. I expect you not to talk to your neighbors during the lecture. If you do not wish to remain in the class, you may leave quietly. If you are unable to concentrate, you may read something or take a nap (as long as you don't snore).
  3. I expect you to make a genuine effort to answer the questions and solve the problems assigned in class before coming to get help. When I ask you to show me how far you managed to get with a question, I expect to see your work.
  4. If you are having difficulties in this class, I expect you to maintain a dialog with me about your difficulties and how we may overcome the problem.