San Diego State University

Chemistry and Biochemistry



Chemistry 210
Chemical Applications of Calculus and Physics
Spring 2020
Syllabus

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Catalog Description

CHEM 210A. Chemical Applications of Calculus and Physics (1)
One lecture per week. Review of chemical problems that demonstrate use of calculus and physics relevant to upper division chemistry. Chemical rate laws, molecular quantum mechanics, and chemical thermodynamics. Recommended if a grade of C- (1.7) or below was received in Mathematics 150, 151, 252, Physics 195, or 196.

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Student Learning Objectives:

In this course, we will examine the relationships among math, physics, and chemistry, especially as they relate to physical chemistry (CHEM 410). The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

  1. Solve elementary derivatives and integrals in the context of chemical problems.
  2. Identify the formulas and/or principles from mathematics and physics needed to solve a word problem in physical chemistry.
  3. Estimate values of physical properties such as (molecular masses or bond distances) to be solved in a problem to check validity of calculations.
  4. Calculate forces between atoms and subatomic particles using fundamental equations of mechanics.
  5. Demonstrate the physical implications of common chemical equations using graphs and limiting values.
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Prerequisites

This course is recommended for students intending to enroll in Chem 410A who received a C- or below in any one of the following: Mathematics 150, 151, 252; Physics 195, 196. This course may be taken concurrently with Chemistry 410A. Most upper division coursework in chemistry requires familiarity with how physics and math determine the properties and behavior of molecules. Physical chemistry is the introduction to this way of approaching chemistry, and it is a demanding course with little time available to review material from the foundation physics and math courses. Chemistry 210 seeks to smooth the transition from the qualitative understanding of molecular structure given in earlier courses to this much more detailed picture. We will work problems together and in small groups, using many of the same resources that you will use in Chemistry 410A, to learn effective techniques for answering questions about chemistry and assess our own responses.

If you satisfied any of these requirements by coursework at a different institution, please provide the transcripts for that work to the Chem 410A instructor to help us determine whether or not you might benefit from Chem 210.

Overview

We try to avoid lengthy mathematics in chemistry problems. However, mathematics is our principal tool whenever we carry out any quantitative analysis of our data. Chemistry is much easier to understand and to practice once we are comfortable with elementary algebra, geometry, and calculus (up to derivatives, simple integrals, and power series). The math is all manageable when taken one step at a time, but the upper division courses don't have the luxury of taking the time to break problems down that way. In this course, we take the opportunity to work through quantitative problems step by step, and illustrate the relevance of each step to the study of molecules.

The study of chemistry also relies heavily on physics. In particular, we call on results from mechanics and electromagnetism to justify some of our conclusions about atomic and molecular structure. You are probably familiar with most of the concepts from first-year physics, but may not have seen how they are important to chemists. We will exclusively focus on problems related to the structures and dynamics of atoms and molecules, so that you may see why we need to know physics to learn chemistry.

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Course Material

In one sentence, the course covers how to solve problems that are based on principles of atomic and molecular structure, molecular interactions, statistical mechanics, chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics.

General

Chemistry 410A and 410B cover the fundamental physics of chemical systems, including structure, energetics, and interactions of molecules. The material can be applied to inorganic, organic, and biochemical molecules and reactions. In fact, most of the important results in physical chemistry will already be familiar to you from general chemistry. Chemistry 210 will examine problems in all of these areas, focusing on problems relevant to Chem 410A.

Chemistry 210 will typically operate on a cycle of two weeks: problems introduced one week are discussed and extended in the following week. This is intended to follow the cycle of exams in Chem 410A.

Topics and Organization
  1. quantum mechanics of atoms
  2. quantum mechanics of molecules
  3. molecular interactions at microscopic scale
  4. statistical mechanics and extrapolation to the macroscopic limit
  5. thermodynamics and bulk properties of non-reactive systems
  6. bulk reaction thermodynamics and kinetics.

The primary reference for the course is the problems and lectures that we cover in class. Additional reading may be assigned for material currently under discussion in Chem 410A.

For a tentative topic schedule, please see the course calendar for CHEM 410A.

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Activities and Assessments
  1. Solve elementary derivatives and integrals in the context of chemical problems, Students will be given brief lecture instruction including a solved example. Then students will break into groups, each group assigned to solve one of 3-5 selected problems, with applications to the interpretation of atomic wavefunctions, intermolecular forces, statistical mechanics, chemical thermodynamics, and kinetics. The problem that is most relevant to the current lecture material will then be reviewed on the board by the instructor. Solutions to all of the problems will be published to Blackboard. We will explore the use of Maple software and Wolfram Alpha for solving these problems.
  2. Identify the formulas and/or principles from mathematics and physics needed to solve a word problem. Students will be given brief lecture instruction including a solved example. Then the class will be presented with a new sample problem and asked to identify (1) the relevant data, (2) the relevant equations from their notes or textbook, (3) the correlation between the data and the symbols in the equation, (4) the appropriate units, (5) the order of magnitude of the expected solution. Once the class has worked together on this example, a set of 3 additional problems will be presented for students to work on individually, with the solutions discussed at the end of class.
  3. Calculate forces between atoms and subatomic particles using fundamental equations of mechanics. Students will be given a brief lecture reviewing the laws of mechanics, with several short, worked example calculations. Students will then break into small groups to solve one of 3-5 assigned problems, with guidance from the instructor. One final problem will be given to the class to solve individually, then worked through on the board.
  4. Demonstrate the physical implications of common chemical equations using graphs and limiting values. Roughly every other week, an equation being discussed in Chem 410A will be discussed in depth. A volunteer will be asked to draw on the board an approximate graph of the function under discussion, The class will discuss the trends in the values, and the experiments that may be done to measure these quantities.

Assessment: Participation in the in-class problem solving will be the primary grading criterion. Homework will be assigned as needed to strengthen skills in areas needing the most attention. The week-long homework assignments will allow students to work with the instructor during office hours to correct any remaining difficulties with the material.

Grading Scheme

Each of the 13 class meetings will add up to a total of 5 points (combining participation and any homework). One class may be dropped, for a total of (12 meetings) × (5 points/meeting) = 60 points. Final grades will be assigned on the following scale:

A ≥ 56 C+ 46-47
A- 54-55 C 44-45
B+ 52-53 C- 42-43
B 50-51 D+ 40-41
B- 48-49 D 38-39

Assignments
In-class problems

Most of the class will be devoted to solving problems in small groups or individually, with guidance from the instructor. These problems will usually be directly relevant to the Chem 410A lecture material, and the dates on which they are given may be changed during the semester to accommodate the variable lecture schedule.

Homework

Homework is assigned at the end of class and due the following week. Questions on the homework are welcome during office hours and any time by email. The homework will be one or two short problems assigned as needed to reinforce skills covered during class. If you're spending more than 15 minutes on one problem and not making progress, please come to the office hours or email the instructor. You are encouraged to assist each other on the concepts involved in homework problems, but any duplication of work (although it is unintentional) is subject to grade reduction.

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SASC Accommodation

Students who believe they qualify for special accommodations for these assignments should first seek authorization by contacting the Student Ability Success Center at 619-594-6473 (Calpulli Center, Suite 3101). Students with that authorization should then contact me as early as possible so that we can agree on a suitable protocol for drills, quizzes, labs, and exams. We cannot retroactively apply special consideration for assignment scores. You are welcome to email me if you would like to set up an appointment outside regular office hours for that discussion.

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