Physical Chemistry: Chemical Thermodynamics

The course consists of a theoretical and a practical part.

The students will learn about the first and second law, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics of mixtures (binary and tertiary mixtures, alloys), colligative properties, and phase equilibria. Basic knowledge about electrochemical cells. Mean activity coefficients of electrolytes. In addition, the course introduces the basics of reaction kinetics.

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand fundamental thermodynamic quantities and relations, including entropy, enthalpy, Gibbs energy, and chemical potential.
• Distinguish between state and path functions, and understand how heat and work are converted in reversible and irreversible processes, including the Carnot cycle and the Clausius formulation of entropy.
• Understand the principles of statistical mechanics, including microstates, the Boltzmann distribution, and how microscopic probabilities give rise to macroscopic thermodynamic quantities.
• Understand equations of state and their use in describing ideal and real gases, as well as the role of reference states and standard states in calculations.
• Explain thermodynamics in mixtures and solutions, including ideal and dilute systems, Raoult's law, Henry's law (with reference states), phase diagrams, lever rule, partial molar properties, fugacities, activities, and the Gibbs-Duhem equation.
• Understand electrolyte solutions, ionic interactions, conductivity, and the principles of electrochemistry, galvanic cells, and the Nernst equation.
• Understand the use of total differentials, thermodynamic potentials, and Maxwell relations to derive measurable properties.
• Understand basic chemical kinetics, including reaction order, rate laws, activation energy, and the Arrhenius equation.

Skills

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Calculate thermodynamic properties, equilibrium constants, and phase conditions for gases, mixtures, solutions, and electrolytes.
• Apply thermodynamic relations, the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation, equations of state, and electrochemical formulas in practical calculations.
• Analyse mixtures and solutions using activities and fugacities consistently with reference states.
• Plan and conduct laboratory and computer-based experiments, analyse results quantitatively with uncertainty estimation, and present findings clearly in text and graphs.
• Solve rate (differential) equations to determine concentrations of reactants and products over time.
• Use sources and digital tools responsibly, including proper citation and ethical use of AI.

General Competence

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Apply thermodynamic principles and methods to explain and interpret experimental observations.
• Critically assess measurement data, identify errors and uncertainties, and draw reliable conclusions.
• Communicate methods, results, and interpretations clearly in reports and scientific discussion

Lectures (4 hours), exercises (2 hours per week) and laboratory work. As part of the compulsory laboratory course includes a mandatory safety lecture. Information about the time-schedule of the required activities during the semester will be announced by the course coordinator at the beginning of the semester. The laboratory course and 50% of the exercises have to be approved before the final examination. Also, completion of the HMS lecture is compulsory.

Expected work load in the course is 200-225 hours.