VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Chemistry for Physicist II
Chemie für Physiker II
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:06:27
Objective
The "language" of chemistry: terminology, chemical formulas, models, systematics and nomenclature of chemical compounds. Properties of substances, structure of molecules. Chemical reactions: Types, equilibria, kinetics. Methods: Separation and purification of substances, analytical methods, spectroscopy.
Content
ACIDS AND BASES Characterisation of acidity and basicity; autoprotolysis; titrations; pH buffering; pH glass electrode, pH indicators. SPECTROSCOPY Electron spectroscopy; absorption and transmission; UV/VIS spectrometers; fluorescence; phosphorescence; dye laser; visual process. Infrared spectroscopy; harmonic and inharmonic oscillator; functional groups and their vibrational frequencies; vibration/rotation spectra of molecules; IR spectrometers. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; FT-NMR spectrometer; relaxation; chemical shift; MR imaging; line intensities; spin-spin coupling; linewidth; decoupling; 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Mass spectrometry: characteristic fragmentation and eliminiation reactions; alpha cleavage; benzyl cleavage; allyl cleavage; McLafferty rearrangements; isotopic profiles; mass spectrometers; ionisation methods; mass analyzers. KINETICS Elementary reactions; molecularity; time scales of chemical reactions; reaction velocity; orders of reactions; rate constant; simple and complex kinetics; reversible reactions; relaxation kinetics; parallel reactions; consecutive reactions; quasi-stationarity; chain reactions; polymerisation; enzyme kinetics; temperature dependence of the rate constant; Arrhenius activation energy; diffusion-controlled reactions in solution; experimental methods in kinetics; measurement of slow reactions; batch reactor; flow reactor; flow tube; stopped-flow; measurement of fast reactions; pulse methods (flash photolysis, laser flash photolysis, pulse radiolysis); shock tube; relaxation methods; competition; line shape methods; kinetics with molecular beams. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Mesomeric formulas; functional groups; systematics and nomenclature of organic compounds; hydrocarbons; physical and chemical propertie; natural gas; oil; fuels; conformation; terpens and steroids; ethen and ethin in industry; aromatic hydrocarbons; PAHC; electrophilic aromatic substitution; halogenated alkanes; fluorinated and chlorinated hydrocarbons; nucleophilic substitution reactions; elimination reactions; alcohols; carboxylic acids; soaps; carboxylic esters; amids; carbohydrates; sugars; mono-, di- and polysaccharides; amino acids; peptides, proteins; protein structure; nucleic acids.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes and supplementary information are handed out.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , DS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Chemie für Physiker II |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Chemie für Physiker II |
|
1 h weekly |