Spectroscopy and statistical thermodynamics elements

Duration

30h Th, 20h QA Sess.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Bernard Leyh

Language(s) of instruction

French 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 consists of two parts:
(i) Spectroscopy: the course aims at completing the teaching started in the 2nd bachelor year introductory course. The quantum mechanical concepts taught in the theoretical chemistry course (Prof. F. Remacle) are the foundations for the present lectures. The following topics will be considered:

• interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter
• principles and applications of lasers
• atomic spectroscopy
• rotational spectroscopy
• infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopy
• molecular electronic spectroscopy
• principles of two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques

• Basic Assumptions and Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics
• Quantum statistics: Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein
• Applications of Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics
• Transition state theory in chemical kinetics

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, the students are expected to be able (i) to elaborate on the essential concepts developed in the theoretical lectures, (ii) to choose the appropriate spectroscopical method depending on the requested information, (iii) to interpret various atomic and molecular spectra of moderate complexity, and (iv) to use the tools of statistical thermodynamics to calculate state functions, equilibrium constants, and rate constants.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Knowledge of the basic concepts of mathematics (functions, derivatives, integrals, simple differential equations), physics and general chemistry, taught in the first two years of chemistry studies at ULg, is required.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Exercice classes are organized in parallel with the theoretical lectures. They aim at favouring a deeper understanding and a better integrated knowledge of the theoretical framework.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

2 hour lectures per week organized during the first semester. Exercise classes are also organized. The students are provided with the schedules for all these activities at the beginning of the academic year. They are also available on the web pages of the Faculty of Sciences: http://www.facsc.ulg.ac.be/cms/c_5000/fr/accueil

 

Recommended or required readings

Copies of powerpoint slides will be available. A list of reference textbooks will be given at the beginning of the academic year.

Assessment methods and criteria

An exercise test will be organized during the 1st semester. Students who failed have the opportunity to make an additional test in January.
An oral examination on the theoretical course takes place in January. A second examination period takes place in August-September.
The final grade takes all partial assessments into account.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Bernard Leyh, Molecular Dynamics Laboratory, Builiding B6c, Office R77, Phone:04/3663425, E-Mail: Bernard.Leyh@ulg.ac.be
Exercise classes: Valérie Schwanen vschwanen@ulg.ac.be(vschwanen@doct.ulg.ac.be)