Study Programmes 2016-2017
CHIM9308-1  
Physical chemistry
Duration :
30h Th, 10h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)4
Lecturer :
Bernard Leyh
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
The course develops links between the molecular and the macroscopic properties of chemical systems by introducing and using the tools of statistical mechanics.
Chapter 1. Quantum mechanics of chemical systems and introduction to spectroscopy
Chapter 2. The basic principles of statistical mechanics. Theory of Gibbs ensembles
Chapter 3. Systems of independent particles (ideal gases): Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics
Chapter 4. Ideal systems: applications of Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics (including transition state theory)
Chapter 5. Beyond the dilute limit: ideal degenerate fermion and boson gases
Chapter 6. Systems of interacting particles: real gases
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
The course aims at making the students able to use the tools of spectroscopy and statistical mechanics to explain the behaviour of physico-chemical systems and to develop applications thereof.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Basic quantum mechanics course
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course consists in lectures devoted to the theoretical developments while favouring the active participation of the students, followed by exercise classes with open-ended problems possibly requiring the use of a data handling software.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
4-hour seminars (Monday 2-6 pm) during the first semester, consisting in:
- two lectures (2x 1 1/2 h)
- one exercise class (1h)
Recommended or required readings :
Powerpoint presentations will be made available.
The following textbook provides the students with complementary information:
N. M. Laurendeau, Statistical Thermodynamics. Fundamentals and Applications, Cambridge University Press (2005)
Assessment methods and criteria :
The examination in January 2017 will be partly written and partly oral.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
The course in taught in English.
Contacts :
Bernard Leyh
Department of Chemistry, Building B6c (Office R77 and lab S48), B-4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman)
Phone: +32/(0)4/366.34.25 - E-mail : Bernard.Leyh@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
CHIM9308-1 Lecture slides and Problem booklet
CHIM9308-1 Lecture slides and Problem booklet