CHEM 435. Physical Chemistry Laboratory, 2 cr.

Spring Semester, 2008

Welcome to Chem 435

Introduction

Physical Chemistry is made of 50 percent physics, 50 percent chemistry, and 50 percent imagination.

My Interpretation of a famous quote
When you can measure what your are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind.
Lord Kelvin

This course is intended to acquaint the students with the practice of experimental physical chemistry. Considerable effort has gone into linking the content of the labs with the topics of Chem 434 lectures. Nonetheless, the educational philosophy of the labs is that experimental physical chemistry has a life of its own.

The goal of the labs, therefore, is to provide a modest introduction to this area of scientific activity. Centuries of empiricism have been invested in man's present conceptual view of the physical world. It would be impossible to attempt to illustrate systematically the experimental basis of that view. Some principles will be illustrated in the labs, but many more will simply be applied to the problem at hand. Experimental work is an eminently practical activity. The program is designed to provide a limited encounter with its methods, its fruits, and undoubtedly with some of its frustrations as well.

Following objectives will be pursued:

• To apply the principles of thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy presented in the physical chemistry lecture courses, in some illustrative experiments. To understand the interconnection between experimental foundation and underlying theoretical principles and to appreciate the limitations inherent in both theoretical treatments and experimental measurements.
• To gain familiarity with a variety of physico-chemical measurement techniques. To develop laboratory skills and the ability to work independently.
• To develop the ability of scientific communications through oral quizzes, written reports and presentations.

Course - Requirements

Successful completion of the course requires:

One data analysis assignment. After the introduction lecture you will be given an assignment to get acquainted with data analysis.

10 laboratory experiments. This includes an oral pre-lab quiz for each experiment, performance of the experiment in the laboratory, and a written report for each lab. The labs are divided into two sets: thermodynamics and kinetics/spectroscopy. You need to finish all 10 labs. If you wish to do more than the required number of labs, special arrangements may be made with the instructor. The extra credit lab may be suggested by the student.

An oral presentation. You will give an oral presentation to the class about one of the labs from the course describing it to the other students in detail as independent research. Critique and suggestions about improvement of the lab would be particularly encouraged.

The student must complete all assignments to receive a passing grade.

Do not skip an experiment thinking you can afford to lose the points. Failure to complete all ten (10) experiments (including prelab quizzes), the oral presentation and the assignment will result in a failing grade for the course.

Format

Students are expect to come prepared to conduct the experiments. The necessary material can be found on the web site and in the text book. Details are provided on the web sites for appropriate labs. Students will demonstrate their readiness in the prelab quizzes some of the questions from which are supposed to be answered in a written form in their lab notebooks before coming to the lab. Each quiz will be graded (it is worth 5 points maximum) and, based on the grade, students may or may not be allowed to conduct the lab (3 points is the lowest passing grade). Consult the lab's web page for prelab questions.

Disabilities

Students with disabilities or those who believe they have a disability and would benefit from any accommodations, may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office located in Corbet Center, Room 244 (phone: 646-6840). If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes. It is your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative in a timely manner if services/accommodations provided are not meeting your needs.

If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the instructor and/or Mr. Michael Armendariz, SSD Coordinator.  Feel free to call EEO/ADA and Employee Relations Director at 646-3333 with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be treated confidentially.

Cheating

Any activities normally considered cheating (plagiarism, making up data etc.) are prohibited! With respect to the laboratory, you will collect data with lab partners (who should be noted in your report) and you may analyze the data together. However, reports should be done without collaboration. The honor principle does not apply to the problem sets, which are not graded. If you have any questions about application of the honor principle, do not hesitate to ask. If you are confused by what is considered plagiarism, please refer to NMSU library site on plagiarism or the website at Georgetown University, which has received high marks for delineating the varieties of plagiarism.

Communications by E-mail:

Feel free to use E-mail to ask questions about the course or material, or to inquire about making an appointment. Any requests for changes in the course requirements, such as changing a deadline must be made in person or by telephone before the deadline.

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Last Updated on 12/12/07