The course aims to provide students the information necessary for a critical knowledge of the principles and applications of physical chemistry ranging from classical thermodynamics to kinetics and quantum mechanical theories necessary for the understanding of spectroscopy. These topics will be treated with particular attention to their applications in the biological field.

Introduction to the course and operational approach of physical chemistry.

Properties of gases. The perfect gas. The laws of gases. The real gases.

The first principle. Work, Heat and Energy. The first law of thermodynamics: internal energy, enthalpy and heat capacity. Thermochemistry. Food and energy reserves The standard formation enthalpies.

The second principle. Spontaneous transformations and energy dispersion. Entropy. Entropy variations. Entropy and statistical interpretation. Gibbs free energy. Chemical potential.

Thermodynamic discussion of phase transitions. Thermodynamics of mixing. Solutions. Colligative properties of solutions. Chemical equilibrium.

Chemical kinetics.

It is advisable to have taken the exams of:
Mathematics, Physics, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.

D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will have to demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of thermodynamics and kinetics to be able to: a) describe the thermodynamic properties of equilibrium systems b) describe the parameters of chemical kinetics.

D2-ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will have to demonstrate to know how to apply the methodological tools of biological physical chemistry, in particular they must be able to: a) solve problems of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics; b) calculate the thermodynamic parameters associated with simple thermal and chemical denaturation processes; c) calculate the thermodynamic parameters of binding processes.

D3-AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT The student must be able to: a) critically argue the methodologies illustrated in the course, b) identify the applications of the topics covered in the course to specific biological problems, d) give a critical and constructive judgment of the teaching assessment .

D4-COMMUNICATION SKILLS The student will have to demonstrate: a) to be able to clearly discuss the main topics covered in the course, b) to be able to express the concepts acquired in a language understandable to non-specialists.

D5-LEARNING SKILLS The student must be able a) to understand independently a text or a scientific work that deals with the topics covered in the course, b) to be able to solve practical problems related to the topics covered in the course.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Course books

Peter William Atkins, Julio de Paula

Elements of physical chemistry

Assessment

The assessment test consists of a written and an oral part on at least 3 topics covered in the course. During the written test the student will be asked to solve 5 numerical exercises similar to those carried out during the course. The student who has passed the written test will be able to take the oral test aimed at ascertaining a) understanding of the theoretical part of the course b) of the expository skills c) of the language and terminology used.

The tests will have the purpose of verifying the knowledge acquired and will also allow to evaluate the ability to correlate the various topics covered in the course (descriptors 1 and 2), communication skills (descriptor 4) and the ability to solve problems of a practical nature (descriptors 3 and 5).

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Course books

Peter William Atkins, Julio de Paula

Elements of physical chemistry

Assessment

The assessment test consists of a written and an oral part on at least 3 topics covered in the course. During the written test the student will be asked to solve 5 numerical exercises similar to those carried out during the course. The student who has passed the written test will be able to take the oral test aimed at ascertaining a) understanding of the theoretical part of the course b) of the expository skills c) of the language and terminology used.

The tests will have the purpose of verifying the knowledge acquired and will also allow to evaluate the ability to correlate the various topics covered in the course (descriptors 1 and 2), communication skills (descriptor 4) and the ability to solve problems of a practical nature (descriptors 3 and 5).

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.