GEO2-12027.5 ECTSQ1DutchBachelor
Physical Chemistry
FaculteitFaculty of Geosciences
NiveauBachelor
Studiejaar2026-2027
Beschrijving
Course goals
Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.
This course will introduce you to the basic concepts, principles and methods of physical chemistry that are used to
study processes in aquatic environments. The course is in continuation of GEO1-1136 Scheikunde van de Aarde.
The course consists of two parts.
By the end of the first part of the course you will understand the basic concepts
of equilibrium thermodynamics. You will be able to apply the related equations to calculate changes in state
variables characterizing the systems upon (i) exchange of heat and work between the system and its surrounding,
(ii) chemical reactions and (iii) mixing of constituents. Based on these you will be able to evaluate whether a
system is in equilibrium, whether a process is reversible or irreversible and whether it can or cannot occur
spontaneously. Furthermore, you will become familiar with concepts of the microscopic approach to equilibrium
thermodynamics, including statistical mechanics. You will understand how and why
material's internal energy, entropy and heat capacity depend on temperature, and will be able to calculate their
values for gases using only the microscopic properties of their atomic or molecular constituents.
In the second part of the course you will learn to apply the concepts to describe, understand, and predict phenomena in earth systems, in particular in aquatic environments. The focuslies on the application of chemical potentials and activity coefficients related to the distribution of ions or other
constituents between different phases. The second part of the course will involve group work on finding solutions
for applications.
study processes in aquatic environments. The course is in continuation of GEO1-1136 Scheikunde van de Aarde.
The course consists of two parts.
By the end of the first part of the course you will understand the basic concepts
of equilibrium thermodynamics. You will be able to apply the related equations to calculate changes in state
variables characterizing the systems upon (i) exchange of heat and work between the system and its surrounding,
(ii) chemical reactions and (iii) mixing of constituents. Based on these you will be able to evaluate whether a
system is in equilibrium, whether a process is reversible or irreversible and whether it can or cannot occur
spontaneously. Furthermore, you will become familiar with concepts of the microscopic approach to equilibrium
thermodynamics, including statistical mechanics. You will understand how and why
material's internal energy, entropy and heat capacity depend on temperature, and will be able to calculate their
values for gases using only the microscopic properties of their atomic or molecular constituents.
In the second part of the course you will learn to apply the concepts to describe, understand, and predict phenomena in earth systems, in particular in aquatic environments. The focuslies on the application of chemical potentials and activity coefficients related to the distribution of ions or other
constituents between different phases. The second part of the course will involve group work on finding solutions
for applications.
Content
Following topics will be addressed:
- Basics of quantum mechanics: structure of available energy levels for ideal gases
- Equipartition theorem, internal energy of gases
- First law of thermodynamics, heat vs work, thermochemistry
- Basics of statistical mechanics: micro- versus macro-states, Boltzmann's definition of entropy, Boltzmann distribution
- Second law of thermodynamics, Gibbs and Helmholtz Energies, Carnot Process
- non-electrolyte solutions, chemical potential
- Chemical equilibrium
Following applications to aquatic environments will be discussed
- solid solutions in the context of solubility of impure minerals
- activity coefficients of ions in aqueous solutions in the context of solubility of minerals in electrolyte solutions
Development of Transferable Skills
- Ability to work in the team: students work together in solving the practical problems related to the application of thermodynamics in the context of aquatic chemistry
- Problem solving: students learn how problems in Earth Sciences can be approached and solved using principles from thermodynamics.
- Analytical / quantitative skills: Students learn to carefully solve quantitative, thermodynamic problems.
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