| Molecular Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics |
Instructor:
Wei Kong
Gilbert Hall 004
541-737-6714
wei.kong@oregonstate.edu | Office Hours:
MWF 1:30-2:30pm |
| Lecture: 10-11am MWF GbAd 103 |
Course Information:
The laws of chemical thermodynamics and the postulates of statistical mechanics will be applied to analyze properties of gases, gas mixtures, liquid solutions, fluctuations, critical phenomena and polymers. The approach is part thermodynamics, part statistical mechanics, linked by mathematics. Dill and Bromberg construct a non-standard but interesting view of how statistical thermodynamics affects chemistry and biology.
Textbook: Ken A. Dill and Sabrina Bromberg, Molecular Driving Forces, 2nd Edition, Garland Science, NY (2010)
| Prerequisites | Course Structure | Terms Offered |
| 1 Year of Physical Chemistry | 3 Credit-Hour Course | Not offered every year |
| Course Syllabus |
| Week | Topic | Assignments |
| 1 | Extremum Principles and Math Methods | Ch 2-4
problem set 1 |
| 2 | Entropy, fundamental equation | Ch 5-7
problem set 2 |
| 3 | Free energy, Maxwell relations | Ch 8-9
problem set 3 |
| 4 | Stat mechanics | Ch 10-11
problem set 4 |
| 5 | Heat capacities and chemical equilibrium | Ch 12-13 |
| 6 | Review and Exam | |
| 7 | Solutions and solvation | Ch 14-16
problem set 5 |
| 8 | Kinetics and dynamics | Ch 17-18
problem set 6 |
| 9 | Phase transitions and cooperativity | Ch 25-26
problem set 7 |
| 10 | Adsorption and Binding of Polymers | CH 27-28 or Ch 32-22 |
Assignments are due Wednesday of the following week. Each day of delay costs 25% of the total points for the assignment.
- 6 out of the 7 highest scores from assignments will be included in the total score.
- > 80% - A; > 70% - B; > 60% - C
Exams and Grading Policy
Midterm exam: Monday of 6th week (11/4)
Final exam: Tuesday, Dec. 10th at 9:30am
Midterm (50pts) Final Exam (70pts) Assignments (30pts)
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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