Physical Chemistry for Engineers 2

Rationale:

This course provides a rigorous foundation in physical chemistry, emphasizing its use in explaining and predicting the behavior of real and ideal systems relevant to chemical engineering and the physical sciences. It equips students to connect molecular-level understanding with macroscopic system behavior across applications such as reaction engineering, energy conversion, separation processes, and materials development.

Focus:

The course begins with gas laws and thermodynamic principles, including the first and second laws, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, and free energy. Students apply relationships such as the Maxwell and Gibbs-Helmholtz equations to model equilibrium conditions and energy transformations. Phase behavior is examined through pure substances and binary mixtures using phase diagrams, the Clapeyron equation, and equilibrium criteria. Multicomponent systems involving vapor-liquid, liquid-liquid, and solid-liquid equilibria are analyzed using graphical and numerical techniques, including Raoult’s and Henry’s laws. The course also addresses chemical equilibria, colligative properties, solution behavior, and their applications in environmental, biochemical, and electrochemical systems. Reaction kinetics is introduced to study rates and mechanisms, including steady-state and rapid equilibrium approximations and temperature dependence through Arrhenius theory. Enzyme kinetics and coupled reactions are also explored. Later topics bridge classical and molecular theory through discussions on surface chemistry, adsorption isotherms, colloids, and interfacial phenomena. Fundamental quantum concepts are introduced to support an understanding of molecular energy levels, spectroscopy, and electronic structure.

Outcome:

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply thermodynamic and kinetic principles to analyze systems involving energy flow, phase transitions, and chemical reactivity. They will be able to construct and assess models using both analytical and computational tools, interpret macroscopic behavior from molecular interactions, and evaluate thermodynamic and kinetic parameters in experimental and applied contexts. This course supports advanced study and professional practice in chemical engineering, biotechnology, materials science, and related areas.

• Formulate solutions to phase equilibrium problems in engineering systems by applying thermodynamic principles to ideal and real substances, incorporating equations of state, property relations, energy balances, and equilibrium criteria.

• Develop solutions to chemical equilibrium problems in engineering systems by applying mass action principles, equilibrium constants, and thermodynamic constraints to determine reaction extent and system composition.

• Interpret chemical behavior in engineered and natural systems by integrating thermodynamics, kinetics, and molecular-level concepts to explain reaction mechanisms, transport phenomena, and macroscopic observations.

1. Module 1. Thermodynamics of Equilibrium

2. Module 2. Physical Transformation of Pure Substances

3. Module 3. Equilibrium in Simple Mixtures

4. Module 4. Equilibrium in Chemical Systems

5. Module 5. Special Topics

Please visit this link for the class recordings: 3CHE-A, 3CHE-B, 3CHE-C.

Please visit this link for the updated class schedule.

1. Physical Chemistry by Atkins (12th Edition)

2. Principles of Physical Chemistry by Maron and Prutton (4th Edition)

3. Physical Chemistry by Ball (2nd Edition)

4. Physical Chemistry by Levine (6th Edition)

5. Mathematics for Physical Chemistry by Mortimer (3rd Edition)

6. Physical Chemistry by Larsen

7. The Live Textbook of Physical Chemistry by Peverati

8. Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics by van Ness (8th Edition)

9. Thermodynamics and its Applications by Tester and Modell (3rd Edition)

10. Perry's Chemical Engineering Handbook (9th Edition)

1. Physical Chemistry I - Chemical Thermodynamics by Professor Derricotte

2. Physical Chemistry II - Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy by Professor Derricotte

3. Thermodynamics by Enginerds

4. Physical Chemistry by Enginerds