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Selected Topics of Physical Chemistry
Ausgewählte Kapitel der Physikalischen Chemie
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:21:41
Abstract
1. Kinetics of complex reactions2. Thermodynamics of mixtures and systems with several phases: Partition between phases, colligative properties of solutions, coexistence of phases, phase rule, phase diagrams3. Phase boundaries: Surface tension, surface excess concentration, adsorption, colloids
Objective
The students are able • to explain the fundamentals of chemical kinetics and to analyse simple systems of chemical reactions • to explain the fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics, to calculate equilibria in systems with several substances and phases, and to correctly interpret phase diagrams • to quantitatively describe surface phenomena like surface tension, adsorption, and stability of colloids • to assess the order of magnitude and precision of the relevant variables of a system • to model physico-chemical phenomena mathematically and to solve these models • to analyse and scrutinise the assumptions behind such models • to apply these competences to real-world problems
Content
1. Kinetics of complex reactions: Pre-equilibrium, steady-state approximation, enzyme kinetics 2. Thermodynamics of mixtures and systems with several phases: Chemical potential, standard states and activities, partition between phases, colligative properties of solutions, coexistence of phases, phase rule, phase diagrams of pure substances and binary mixtures 3. Phase boundaries: Surface tension, surface excess concentration, adsorption on solids, stability of colloids
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes are available at the course moodle
Literature
- Wedler, G., Freund, H.-J., Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch Physikalische Chemie, 7. Aufl., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim 2018 - Atkins, P., de Paula, J., Keeler, J., Physical Chemistry, 11th edition, Oxford University Press, 2018 - Shaw, D.J., Introduction to Colloid and Surface Chemistry, 4th ed., Butterworth-Heinemann 1992
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- Alle Hilfsmittel ausser Telekommunikation.
- Digital
- The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Ausgewählte Kapitel der Physikalischen Chemie
Do 14-16: Vorlesung und Übung (Beginn 23. Februar)
Di 12-13: Fakultative Präsenz (Beginn 7. März)
|
|
2 h weekly |