CH1PP2NU: Physical Processes and Molecular Organisation (NUIST)

Module code: CH1PP2NU

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Silvia Baldanza , email: s.baldanza@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Jun Li, email: summili@nuist.edu.cn

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 4 June 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the fundamental principles of Physical Chemistry, which will also act as a foundation for the remainder of the course. 

You will develop your knowledge of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry by studying the core concepts of physical processes and molecular organisation in some depth. In lectures you will learn key concepts and in workshops you will explore your understanding and have the opportunity to gain skills by the application of knowledge.    

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe key concepts relating to the fundamental principles of physical chemistry;
2. Quantitatively assess basic chemical data (thermodynamics, equilibria, molecular organisation, quantum mechanics and kinetics);
3. Analyse and present numerical data in appropriate formats.

Module content

Chemistry in the Balance – Equilibrium (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session). The importance of equilibrium in chemistry and life. Equilibrium law; dynamic nature; gaseous and solution equilibria; acid-base equilibria; heterogeneous equilibria. The effect of temperature and a variety of simple calculations.  

Chemical Kinetics (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session) The rate equation; order, rate constant and integrated rate equations; kinetics and mechanism; Arrhenius equation; more complex reaction s and enzymic catalysis.

What makes Reactions go? (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session) Chemistry and Energy. Forms of energy; enthalpy, Hess’s Law, qualitative approach to entropy and free energy, 2nd and 3rd laws of thermodynamics.  

The Quantum World (5 lectures+ 2 workshops + 1 revision session): Inside atoms and molecules: Why do we need quantum mechanics?; Quantisation; Energy levels; The interaction of light with matter; Spectroscopy. 

Molecular Organisation (5 lectures + 2 workshops + 1 revision session): Gases, Liquids & Solids. Ideal gas behaviour; interactions between molecules; qualitative discussion of how real gases behave; pressure-temperature phase diagrams for one-component systems; vapour pressure; Raoult's law; temperature-composition phase diagrams for two partially miscible liquids and for a mixture of volatile liquids: application to fractional distillation. 

Tutorial (1 session)

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

5 lectures per topic to deliver core materials (=25 lectures) accompanied by 2 workshops per topic (=10 workshops) to develop skills in the application of knowledge.

1 revision session per topic (=5 sessions).

1 formative tutorial session to develop confidence in problem solving.

Study hours

At least 35 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.