“Free Energy”

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, UIC

Chem 346, “Physical Chemistry II”, 3 credit hours

1. Instructor & Course Details

Preston T. Snee

Email address: sneep@uic.edu

Office Hours: 12-1 Tu, 11-12 Wed in SES Rm. 4176

Graders

Biki Kumar Behera. Email address: behera@uic.edu. Drop-In Office Hours: TBD. Drop-In Hours location: TBD.

Shilpa. Email address: shilpa3@uic.edu. Drop-In Office Hours: TBD. Drop-In Hours location: TBD.

Blackboard Course Site LINK

Students are expected to log into the course site regularly to learn about any developments related to the course, upload assignments, and communicate with classmates.  For all technical questions about Blackboard, email the Learning Technology Solutions team at LTS@uic.edu.

II. Course Information

Course Description and Prerequisite Statement

What is Physical Chemistry II?  For this class we will explore physical phenomena in chemistry using the mathematical tools of probability. For example, when we experimentally measure a property, called “X”, there are many potential outcomes. Call this set of observables X_i. There is an associated probability P_i that any specific X_i will be measured. The actual observation will be the average of the entire X_i set, which is equal to the sum of the measurements times their related probability: ∑X_i·P_i

Course Goals and Learning Objectives

Goals and Competencies Gained, Learning Objectives, and General Education Learning Objectives:

The first part of this class is to use the Boltzmann formula for the probability of a molecule to have energy. This allows us to understand material from your thermodynamics course by calculating the average kinetic energy of a gas and to prove the equipartition theorem. We will also calculate the heat capacity of materials and simulate the spectrum of a light bulb.

For the second part we use quantum mechanics to describe probability. We will learn that very light particles like electrons have wavefunctions, called “ψ”. Probability is related to the wavefunction by P_i=|ψ|², and it allows us to calculate the energy of atoms and molecules. Examination of the wavefunctions shows interesting quantum phenomena, like that particles may move through walls (“tunneling”) and that particles may have negative energy!

For the last part we will use the mathematical tools developed to understand chemical kinetics especially as it applies to enzymes. We will tie both the principles of Boltzmann statistics and quantum mechanics to understand why a barrier to a reaction may be high or low, and how that affects the rate of a reaction.

Required and Recommended Course Materials

Download your textbook Free Energy at https://pchem.digital.uic.edu

Respect for Copyright

Please protect the copyright integrity of all course materials and content. Please do not upload course materials not created by you onto third-party websites or share content with anyone not enrolled in our course.

III. COURSE POLICIES & CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Grading Policy and Point Breakdown

Problem sets: 10 of them = 100 points total

Hour exams: 100 per each of 3 exams = 300 points total

Quizzes: 50 points – we have quizzes if attendance drops.

Final: 300 points

Policy for Missed or Late Work

Exams and homeworks cannot be submitted late without the permission of the instructor.

Attendance / Participation Policy

Policy: Please email me if you face an unexpected situation that may impede your attendance, participation in required class and exam sessions, or timely completion of assignments.

Other Course Policies

Academic Integrity

As a student and member of the UIC community, you are expected to adhere to the Community Standards of academic integrity, accountability, and respect. Please review the UIC Student Disciplinary Policy for additional information.

Email Expectations

Students are responsible for all information instructors send to your UIC email and Blackboard accounts. Faculty messages should be regularly monitored and read in a timely fashion.

IV. COURSE SCHEDULE

See the Schedule Tab

V. ACCOMMODATIONS

Disability Accommodation Procedures

UIC is committed to full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of university life. If you face or anticipate disability-related barriers while at UIC, please connect with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at drc.uic.edu, via email at drc@uic.edu, or call (312) 413-2183 to create a plan for reasonable accommodations. To receive accommodations, you will need to disclose the disability to the DRC, complete an interactive registration process with the DRC, and provide me with a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). Upon receipt of an LOA, I will gladly work with you and the DRC to implement approved accommodations.

Religious Accommodations

Following campus policy, if you wish to observe religious holidays, you must notify me by the tenth day of the semester. If the religious holiday is observed on or before the tenth day of the semester, you must notify me at least five days before you will be absent. Please submit this form by email with the subject heading: “YOUR NAME: Requesting Religious Accommodation.”

Pregnancy Accommodations

Following campus policy, pregnant students have rights under Title IX.  To request pregnancy-related accommodations, contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uic.edu or 312-996-8670.

VI. CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

Inclusive Community

UIC values diversity and inclusion. Regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geographic background, religion, political ideology, language, or culture, we expect all members of this class to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every other member of our class. If aspects of this course result in barriers to your inclusion, engagement, accurate assessment, or achievement, please notify me as soon as possible.

Name and Pronoun Use

If your name does not match the name on my class roster, please let me know as soon as possible. I welcome your pronouns if you would like to share them with me. For more information about pronouns, see this page: https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why.

Community Agreement/Classroom Conduct Policy

• Be present by turning off cell phones and removing yourself from other distractions.
• Be respectful of the learning space and community. For example, no side conversations or unnecessary disruptions.
• Use preferred names and gender pronouns.
• Assume goodwill in all interactions, even in disagreement.
• Facilitate dialogue and value the free and safe exchange of ideas.
• Try not to make assumptions, have an open mind, seek to understand, and not judge.
• Approach discussion, challenges, and different perspectives as an opportunity to “think out loud,” learn something new, and understand the concepts or experiences that guide other people’s thinking.
• Debate the concepts, not the person.
• Be gracious and open to change when your ideas, arguments, or positions do not work or are proven wrong.
• Be willing to work together and share helpful study strategies.
• Be mindful of one another’s privacy, and do not invite outsiders into our classroom.

Content Notices and Trigger Warnings

Our classroom provides an open space for a critical and civil exchange of ideas, inclusive of a variety of perspectives and positions. Some readings and other content may expose you to ideas, subjects, or views that may challenge you, cause you discomfort, or recall past negative experiences or traumas. I intend to discuss all subjects with dignity and humanity, as well as with rigor and respect for scholarly inquiry. If you would like me to be aware of a specific topic of concern, please email or visit my Student Drop-In Hours.

VII. RESOURCES: Academic Success, Wellness, and Safety

We all need the help and the support of our UIC community. Please visit my drop-in hours for course consultation and other academic or research topics. For additional assistance, please contact your assigned college advisor and visit the support services available to all UIC students.

Academic Success

• UIC Tutoring Resources
• UIC Library and UIC Library Research Guides.
• Offices supporting the UIC Undergraduate Experience and Academic Programs.
• Student Guide for Information Technology
• First-at-LAS Academic Success Program, focusing on LAS first-generation students.

Wellness

• Counseling Services: You may seek free and confidential services from the Counseling Center at https://counseling.uic.edu/.
• Access U&I Care Program for assistance with personal hardships.
• Campus Advocacy Network: Under Title IX, you have the right to an education that is free from any form of gender-based violence or discrimination. To make a report, email TitleIX@uic.edu. For more information or confidential victim services and advocacy, visit UIC’s Campus Advocacy Network at http://can.uic.edu/.

Safety

• UIC Safe App—PLEASE DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR SAFETY!
• UIC Safety Tips and Resources
• Night Ride
• Emergency Communications: By dialing 5-5555 from a campus phone, you can summon the Police or Fire for any on-campus emergency. You may also set up the complete number, (312) 355-5555, on speed dial on your cell phone.