Introduction Chem 340 focuses on thermodynamic aspects of physical chemistry. We examine chemical reactions and other transformations in light of ideas about energy conservation and the direction of spontaneous change. Problem assignments and Matlab Problem solving is critically important to mastering this material. Many exercises are intended to help clarify concepts that otherwise might remain fuzzy.
Problems sets are to be turned in each week with no late submissions accepted.
Problems will be graded on the basis of completeness of the entire problem set, and correctness of one or two problems. The matlab assignments are designed to meet two purposes. I hope you ll especially like the symbolic manipulation aspect of matlab, since this can greatly reduce the tedium of calculus. Second, sometimes ideas come up that are just too complicated to do much with pen and paper alone. Computers make possible the exploration of such ideas with a minimum of effort.