Prerequisites: Chemistry 370-373 or its equivalent.

Course Description: Elementary principles of quantum and statistical mechanics as applied to chemical systems. Applications of group theory to molecular symmetry and molecular spectroscopy.

Course Objectives: To revisit the principles of quantum and statistical mechanics at a level above that covered in the undergraduate physical chemistry course. Students will be expected to sharpen their skills in advanced mathematics and to come away with a better understanding of the role that entropy plays in driving all physical and chemical processes.

Mode of Instruction: lecture

Course Outline:
 

1.    Particles and Waves

(a)  Classical Harmonic Motion
(b)  Wave Motion
(c)  de Broglie Waves

(a)  Postulates of Quantum Mechanics
(b)  Heisenberg Uncertainty
(c)  Free Particle
(d)  Bound Particle
(e)  Superposition of States
(f)  Hydrogen Atom
(g)  Angular Momentum
(h)  Electron Spin

(a)  Equipartition Theory
(b)  Thermodynamic Probability
(c)  Boltzmann Distribution Law
(d)  Ensemble Partition Function
(e)  Translational Energy
(f)  Rotational Energy
(g)  Vibrational Energy
(h)  Ortho and Para Hydrogen
(i)  Energy of Crystals

(a)  Translational Entropy
(b)  Rotational Entropy
(c)  Vibrational Entropy
(d)  Zero-point Entropy Anomalies

Midterm Examination (50% of the grade)

Final Examination (open book) (50% of the grade)

Bibliography:
1.    Laidler, Keith J., Meiser, John H., and Sanctuary, Bryan C., Physical Chemistry, 4^th ed.,Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA, 2003.
2.    Levine, Ira N., Physical Chemistry, 5^th ed., McGraw Hill, Boston, MA, 2002.
3.    Raff, Lionel M., Principles of Physical Chemistry, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2001.
4.     Silbey, Robert J., and Alberty, Robert A., Physical Chemistry, 3^rd ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY, 2001.