Physical Chemistry Menu

Physical Chemistry

Kinetic Theory

Kinetic Theory . . .: Basic kinetic theory ideas about solids, liquids and gases, and changes of state. Ideal and real gases. The ideal gas equation. Boyle's Law and Charles' Law.

Enthalpy changes during reactions . . .: An explanation of the various important kinds of enthalpy change, and a limited look at the calculations which go with them.

Basic ideas about rates of reaction . . .: Covers collision theory, and describes and explains the effects of surface area, concentration, pressure, temperature and catalysts on reaction rates. Also takes an introductory look at the rate equation for a reaction - particularly order of reaction and the rate constant.
Catalysis . . .: A detailed look at various types of catalytic action with a wide range of examples taken from A level syllabuses.

Chemical equilibria . . .: An introduction to the ideas surrounding chemical equilibria including the concept of a dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier's Principle, and a detailed look at the equilibrium aspects of the Haber Process, the Contact Process and the manufacture of ethanol from ethene. Plus an introductory look at equilibrium constants, K_c and K_p.
Redox equilibria . . .: An introduction to the measurement and use of standard electrode potentials (redox potentials). Includes a discussion of the electrochemical series and the use of redox potentials in predicting the feasibility of redox reactions.
Acid-base equilibria . . .: Including: acid-base theories; strong and weak acids and bases; an introduction to pH, K_w and pK_w, K_a and pK_a, K_b and pK_b; buffer solutions; pH curves and indicators.
Solubility products . . .: Solubility products, their units, and a brief introduction to calculations involving them.
Phase equilibria . . .: An introduction to saturated vapour pressure, Raoult's Law, and to several types of phase diagrams - including phase diagrams for pure substances, solutions of non-volatile solutes, eutectic mixtures, systems of two miscible liquids (including fractional distillation), and systems of two immiscible liquids (including steam distillation).