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School of Life Sciences

Physical Chem of Molecules & Materials (F1701)

Physical Chemistry of Molecules and Materials

Module F1701

Module details for 2025/26.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 4

Module Outline

In this module, we will describe the properties of materials and molecules in terms of energetics, structure and kinetics. Thermodynamics determines the final destination of chemical and physical change and so we will encounter the major thermodynamic quantities, including entropy, the Gibbs function, enthalpy and use them to describe the chemical composition of a system through the quantitative description of the point of equilibrium. In addition we will also describe the rate of chemical change using elementary reaction, the reaction order and the activation energy. In addition, we will explore the physical chemistry of materials and their applications in the real world.

Module learning outcomes

Explain and describe chemical and physical equilibrium and apply it to seen and unseen chemical systems.

Explain the nature of heat, work, entropy, and free energy in association with physical changes and chemical reactions.

Understand and apply the underlying concepts and principles of reaction kinetics.

Demonstrate knowledge of crystal structures and the associated material properties.

TypeTimingWeighting
Coursework20.00%
Coursework components. Weighted as shown below.
Problem SetT2 Week 9 100.00%
Unseen ExaminationSemester 2 Assessment80.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Spring SemesterLecture1 hour22222222222
Spring SemesterWorkshop1 hour01111111111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Alfredo Vargas

Assess convenor, Convenor
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Prof Wendy Brown

Assess convenor
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