Chemistry 2

FOUN10042 Chemistry 2 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 1 David Ruiz Unit coordinator Department of Chemistry 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' First part HE study/Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 This course will provide the knowledge and understanding needed to study Physical and Organic Chemistry topics on undergraduate degree courses within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.   This course will provide the knowledge and understanding needed to study Physical and Organic Chemistry topics on undergraduate degree courses within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.Topics Covered:<ul><li>Kinetics</li><li>Thermodynamics</li><li>Hybridisation</li><li>Basic Organic Nomenclature</li><li>Hydrocarbons</li><li>Isomerism</li><li>Aromaticity</li><li>The Inductive Effect of Resonance</li><li>Basic Functional Groups.  </li></ul> The aim is to provide the knowledge and understanding needed to study Physical and Organic Chemistry topics on Undergraduate courses within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. <ul><li>Apply integrated rate laws to determine reaction order and rate constants; utilise the Arrhenius equation to analyse the temperature dependence of reaction rates; explain the role and mechanism of catalysis; and solve numerical and graphical problems involving rate data and activation energy.</li><li>Formulate and interpret rate equations from experimental data using initial rates methods; define and distinguish key concepts including rate laws, reaction order, molecularity, and the role of the rate-determining step; explain how kinetics determines the speed of a chemical reaction.</li><li>Recognise, name, and draw basic organic molecules using internationally recognised IUPAC nomenclature; describe hybridisation, isomerism, aromaticity, and functional group chemistry; and apply principles of polarity, the inductive effect, resonance stabilisation, and stereochemistry to predict and rationalise the properties, mechanisms, and reactivity of organic compounds. </li><li>Explain the first law of thermodynamics and the definition of enthalpy as a state function; calculate enthalpy changes using Hess’ Law and standard enthalpies of formation; and interpret enthalpy diagrams to evaluate energy transfer in chemical reactions.</li><li>Interpret and apply the second law of thermodynamics through entropy and Gibbs free energy; predict spontaneity and chemical equilibrium; and analyse the relationship between energy distribution, ΔG, entropy change, and temperature.</li></ul> Kinetics Fundamentals — Rate Laws, Reaction Order, and the Rate-Determining Step Students will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of core kinetic concepts by defining and applying rate laws, reaction order, and molecularity. They will interpret rate equations derived from experimental data, especially through the method of initial rates, and identify the role of the rate-determining step in multi-step mechanisms. This outcome ensures students can connect observed changes in reaction rate with mechanistic implications, confidently distinguishing between elementary processes and overall reaction schemes.Reaction Dynamics — Integrated Rate Laws, Activation Energy, and Catalysis Students will apply integrated rate laws to determine reaction order and calculate rate constants, interpreting concentration–time data through appropriate graphical analysis. They will use the Arrhenius equation to explore temperature dependence, activation energy, and frequency factors, extracting kinetic parameters from experimental results. In addition, students will explain the mechanistic role of catalysis in lowering activation energy and enabling alternate reaction pathways. This outcome ensures a complete and practical grasp of how chemical reactions behave over time and under different energetic conditions.Thermochemistry — Enthalpy, State Functions, and Hess’s Law Calculations Students will explain and apply the First Law of Thermodynamics in chemical systems by defining enthalpy as a state function and distinguishing it from internal energy. They will carry out Hess’s Law calculations using standard enthalpies of formation and bond enthalpies, determining enthalpy changes associated with chemical reactions. This outcome allows students to analyse how energy is conserved and transferred during chemical processes, laying the groundwork for interpreting the feasibility and directionality of reactions.Entropy and Gibbs Energy — Spontaneity, Equilibrium, and the Second Law Students will interpret the Second Law of Thermodynamics through the concepts of entropy and Gibbs free energy, calculating ΔS and ΔG and relating them to ΔH and temperature via the equation ΔG = ΔH – TΔS. They will use these thermodynamic quantities to assess spontaneity, equilibrium position, and energy distribution in chemical systems. This outcome ensures students can judge thermodynamic feasibility and understand how entropy-driven considerations influence chemical reactivity — particularly where organic reactions are reversible or temperature-sensitive.Organic Structure and Reactivity — Nomenclature, Resonance, and Mechanisms Students will demonstrate mastery of foundational organic chemistry by applying IUPAC nomenclature to basic hydrocarbons and functional groups, describing hybridisation, isomerism, and stereochemistry, and predicting molecular reactivity. They will analyse electronic effects including inductive, resonance, and polar influences, and apply this knowledge to rationalise reactivity trends, stability of intermediates, and reaction mechanisms. Mechanistic pathways will be interpreted using curly-arrow notation, resonance forms, and structure-based logic. This outcome integrates all prior concepts, equipping students to reason confidently about organic transformations using both qualitative structure–reactivity principles and the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic rationale. <ul> <li> Appreciation that thermodynamics determines the feasibility of a reaction whilst kinetics determines how fast it occurs.  </li> <li> Assimilation and inter-conversion of varied data sets (numerical, tabulated, graphical).  </li> <li> Application of chemical principles and concepts to the solution of numerical problems.  </li> <li> Presentation of arguments and ideas logically.  </li> <li> Problem solving in organic chemistry </li></ul> <ul> <li> Consideration of health and safety issues for a variety of chemicals applicable to practical risk assessment. </li> </ul> Blended learning / Asynchronous video / 11 workshops / 11 tutorials  1 Written exam 80% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 20% GTAs will give live feedback on tutorial work during tutorial sessions.A number of formative Blackboard tests give immediate feedback.Coursework test marks will be returned swiftly.Workshops focus on active learning where Dr Turner and GTAs will circulate amongst participants to check for understanding and challenge misconceptions.  BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Foundation Mandatory BEng(Hons) Eng w a Int FY Chem Eng with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Chem with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY EarthPlanetSciwithintFY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY EnvSci with an Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Mat Sci with Int FY Foundation Mandatory BSc(Hons) Science w a Int FY Maths With an Int FY Foundation Mandatory N Assessment written exam 2 Lectures 12 Practical classes & workshops 12 Tutorials 10 0 64 Examination:  80% of unit grade  2 hour long examination Coursework:  20% of unit grade  Two online, open-book, multiple choice tests, each test counts 10% towards the course unit grade.