“Free Energy”

What is Physical Chemistry II? This course is designed to enhance your understanding of physical phenomena in the chemical sciences. In this regard we use the mathematical tools of probability. For example, if we are performing a measurement of property “X”, there are likely many potential outcomes that we group into a set called X_i. There is a probability that any specific X_i will be measured; let’s call this P_i. The actual observation made by us will be the average of the entire X_i set, which is equal to the sum of the measurements times their related probability: ∑X_i·P_i

The first part of this class is to use the Boltzmann formula for the probability of a molecule to have energy. This allows us to understand material from your first thermodynamics course by calculating the average kinetic energy of a gas and to prove the equipartition theorem. We will also use this formula to calculate the heat capacity of materials and simulate the spectrum of a light bulb.

For the second part of the course we use quantum mechanics to describe probability. In the process, we will learn that very light particles like electrons have wavefunctions, called “ψ”, that allow us to calculate the energy of atoms and molecules. Probability is related to the wavefunction by P_i=|ψ|². Examination of the wavefunctions shows interesting quantum phenomena, like that particles may move through walls (“tunneling”) and may have negative kinetic energy!

For the last part we will use the mathematical tools developed to understand chemical kinetics especially as it applies to enzymes. We will tie both the principles of Boltzmann statistics and quantum mechanics to understand why a barrier to a reaction may be high or low, and how that affects the rate of a reaction.

Described below are the “nuts and bolts” on how the course operates as well as grading policies.

Survival Guide: Chemistry 344 is a rigorous course that mostly covers the fundamentals and applications of Quantum Mechanics. This course involves logical reasoning and quantitative problem solving to a greater degree than most of the other courses you have taken. You have to keep up with both the lectures and the homeworks! This is because the topics build on each other. Here is what is expected from you:

1. Get to class on time and take careful notes.
2. Every two weeks reread all your notes from start to finish. If you do this, studying for tests and the final exam becomes a very simple exercise.
3. Work on the homework assignment as soon as you receive it. It is impossible to do the entire assignment the night before it is due. The grader is not allowed to provide solutions to the homework problems before the due date of the assignment. Actually the grader doesn’t have the solutions, I do. So, there’s that.
4. Along with reading your notes every two weeks, redo the homework problems that you missed. Don’t just look at the solutions, rewrite the problem from scratch and see if you can do it without notes. You’ll be surprised how often, even when you have looked over the answer just moments before, that you still can’t answer the problem. Examine the solution repeatedly till you can answer the question “blindfolded”.

Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CHEM 340 or Grade of C or better in CHEM 342.

Lectures: There will be four lectures per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 2:00-2:50 in Lecture Center F room F4. The “extra” hour is from 1:00-1:50 on Friday at the same location. The subject matter of each lecture and the corresponding pages in the textbook are listed in the calendar.

Homework: A problem set will be assigned once every week, and will be due one week later in class. Late assignments can’t be accepted since solutions will be posted immediately after the due date. In the history of this course, students that do not turn in homework assignments on time generally have to repeat Chem344.

Exams: There will be three hour exams. The first hour exam will deal with the Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution, the Blackbody radiator and some beginning Quantum Mechanics. It will be held on Friday, Feb. 11. The second hour exam will cover Quantum Mechanics in greater depth on Friday, Mar. 11. A third hour exam is scheduled Apr. 22 on atomic structure, spectroscopy and kinetics. The final will cover all discussed materials. It will be held during finals week, or sometimes thereabout (don’t worry so much).

Grades: The grade for the course will be calculated as follows:

Final: 300 points

Hour exams: 300 points

Problem sets: 100 points

Personalized feedback to students will be provided after every exam. Historically, this course has utilized “normal” 10-point grade distributions (90-100 A, 80-89 B, etc.). If a student misses an hour exam but can provide a justifiable reason for his or her absence, the grade for the missed exam will not be included in the course average. Makeup exams will not be given unless I feel like it, which I probably will. Incompletes will be given only for serious and documented reasons, such as personal illness, pet illnesses excluding fish, family emergencies, and catastrophic explosions.

Chemistry as a Minor: This course is one of the options available for students who wish to get a minor in chemistry. If you are planning on a minor, other requirements must also be met. For example, you must get half of the required hours at UIC (i.e., 9 hours if you are taking 344, 10 hours if you are taking 314). In addition, your GPA in your courses in chemistry must be a 2.0 overall and a 2.0 in your UIC classes. As other issues may apply, you are advised to contact the Department Director of Undergraduate Studies George A. Papadantonakis (gpapad3@uic.edu) in Chemistry or Miquel Gonzalez-Meler (mmeler@uic.edu) in Biology to review your coursework to ensure that you are, in fact, on track for a minor.

Assistance with Disabilities: Concerning disabled students, the University of Illinois at Chicago is committed to maintaining a barrier-free environment so that individuals with disabilities can fully access programs, courses, services, and activities at UIC. Students with disabilities who require accommodations for full access and participation in UIC Programs must be registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Please contact DRC at (312) 413-2183 (voice) or (312) 413- 0123 (TDD).

Academic Honesty: In all work (examinations, quizzes, and homework problems) you must adhere to the guidelines regarding academic honesty as described in the UIC Student Handbook. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated! A student who will be caught and proven to have committed an act of academic dishonesty on any homework set or examination will automatically fail the course. The dishonest student will be reported to the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Science.

Attendance: Attendance and participation in all lectures is mandatory. All of the material covered during class lecture periods and in discussion sessions is subject to examination. Playing on your Iphone, Ipad, or Ianything are not permitted during lectures especially during examinations! Please do not bring food or drinks. I might tho…