Chemistry for Physicists

The module is aimed at presenting chemistry in its main branches. Basic themes alternate with invited lectures on current topics of research. The basic themes deal with the structure of matter (atomic structure) so as to understand the periodic table of elements. Besides, important concepts, such as chemical bonding (theoretical chemistry), simple reaction types (electrochemistry and others) and catalysis (kinetics) as well as basic principles in thermochemistry and chemical analysis are to be imparted. As concerns the chemistry of matter we discuss basic inorganic chemistry, followed by core concepts of organic chemistry and biochemistry.
Overview of chapters:
1 Atomic Structure and General Chemistry
2 The Chemical Bond
3 Organic Chemistry
4 Inorganic Chemistry
5 Thermochemistry
6 Chemical Kinetics
7 Analytical Chemistry
8 Electrochemistry

After participating in the module the students are in a position to outline the structure of the periodic table and to assess the properties of different elements on the basis of trends. Various types of bonds can be described and distinguished; basic structures of organic molecules and inorganic compounds can be presented allowing first access to the three-dimensional structure of matter.
On the basis of phenomenological thermodynamics the students are able to apply the basic concepts of chemical energetics, to present simple examples of chemical reaction mechanisms and to make basic kinetic calculations.
In addition, the students have acquired the skill to set up correct reaction equations, when the reactands and conditions are given.
The students are also in a position to categorize important chemical substances and to predict and classify simple chemical reactions. They have acquired basic knowledge about the reactivity of the chemistry of elements and are able to transfer this knowledge to new problems. Moreover, they are able to name and draw simple organic molecules according to the IUPAC nomenclature; the most important functional groups in organic compounds can be identified and specified. The students are familiar with the essential instruments and methods of analytic chemistry and its fields of application.

Basic knowledge in chemistry at school level.

The contents of the lecture are imparted by oral presentation, writing on blackboard, experiments and through projection methods.
By asking questions to the students and discussing with them we seek to encourage them to explore the contents of themes. In the tutorials specific problems are discussed with the students to work out solutions in dialogue on blackboard.
In the lecture and its related tutorial all important themes are developed and documented; in this way the students compile their own script. PowerPoint slides are used too and are combined with blackboard writing. For a deeper understanding of chemical processes and their physical principles, experiments are shown and explained during the lecture.
The students are encouraged to study the contents beyond the lecture on their own and are provided with the relevant literature references in the lecture. Similarly, the tutorials strengthen the learning contents of the lecture and apply them to examples. Further information, lecture slides, problems and solutions are available on internet.

Blackboard writing, PowerPoint slides, presentation of experiments, work sheets.

1) Chemie - Mortimer, Charles E.; Müller, Ulrich: 2014 (11. Auflage); Print ISBN 978-3134843118 - Online ISBN 9783131940513 - Link to e-book (in MWN)
2) Lehrbuch der Physikalischen Chemie - Wedler, Gerd und Freund, Hans-Joachim: 2012 (6. Auflage); Print ISBN 978-3527329090- Link to e-book (in MWN)
3) Chemie für Ingenieure - Hoinkis, Jan: 2016 (14. Auflage); Print ISBN 978-3-527-33752-1

The examination consists of a 90-minute written exam at the end of the semester. This exam is to prove that the content of the course has been learned as regards the structure of matter (atomic structure), the periodic table of the elements, chemical bonding (theoretical chemistry), simple reaction types (electrochemistry and others) and catalysis (kinetics) as well as basic principles in thermochemistry and chemical analysis, basic inorganic chemistry, and core concepts in organic chemistry and biochemistry. The students are able to remember and understand what has been learned in the course. They show that they recognize a problem and can apply the basic principles learned to find the solution in a limited time and without using any auxiliary means. The exam questions cover the entire content of the module. The answers require the candidate’s own calculations and wording.