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CHM307

Atomic And Molecular Structure And Symmetry

  • Sciences
  • 300 level
  • 3 credit units
  • 136 pages
  • 5 units

This course introduces fundamental aspects of atomic and molecular symmetry. It covers the derivation of the Schrodinger equation and its application to orbitals, including solving problems like particle in a one-dimensional box. Molecular spectroscopy theories are explored, encompassing vibrational, rotational, electronic, and rovibrational spectroscopies. The course also delves into concepts like coupling, resonance, and Walsh's rule, along with symmetry and group theory, examining symmetry elements, point groups, and their applications. Finally, it discusses the heat capacity of crystal solids and associated laws.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
156 hours
Maths
Intermediate
Content
Theoretical, problem solving
Practical work
No
Before you start
  • General Chemistry
  • Basic Physics
  • Calculus
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of CHM307, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CHM307 · UNIT 2 THEORY OF BONDING

Under what conditions can you say that a wave function is orthogonal? Hence derive the orthogonal relationship for a particle in a one- dimension box.

What you should be able to do

  1. Understand the Schrodinger equation and its applications
  2. Apply the Schrödinger equation to solve molecular structure problems
  3. Explain the concept of spin, angular momentum, and coupling
  4. Describe molecular spectroscopic techniques
  5. Explain Walsh's rule and its applications

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Chemist
  • Spectroscopist
  • Materials Scientist
  • Researcher
  • Lecturer
Where it is applied
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Materials Science
  • Petrochemicals
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Academia
Tools
  • Hyperchem
  • Gaussian
  • ORCA

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1:

    Unit 1: The Schrödinger equation

    The derivation of the time-independent Schrödinger equation requires a strong foundation in calculus and differential equations.

  • Module 2:

    Unit 2: Coupling in Spectroscopy

    Understanding the nuances of spin-orbit, Russell-Saunders, and JJ coupling requires a solid grasp of quantum mechanics and atomic structure.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 129 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1:
    • Unit 1: The Schrödinger equation · 8 hours

      Understand the historical context and developmental stages of quantum chemistry.. Learn to derive the time-independent Schrödinger equation from first principles.. Interpret the components of the Schrödinger equation and their physical significance..

  2. Week 2Module 1:
    • Unit 2: Theories of bonding · 7 hours

      Explore the valence bond theory and its conditions for orbital overlap.. Learn about hybridization, different types of hybridization, and their examples.. Understand the concept of resonance and how to calculate resonance energy..

  3. Week 3Module 2:
    • Unit 1: Molecular Spectroscopy · 8 hours

      Understand the principles of molecular spectroscopy.. Differentiate between rotational, vibrational, rovibrational and electronic spectroscopy.. Explain dipole requirements for spectroscopic transition..

  4. Week 4Module 2:
    • Unit 2: Coupling in Spectroscopy · 7 hours

      Explore the concept of coupling with special reference to spin-orbit, Russell-Sanuders and JJ coupling.. Understand the principles of spin-orbit, Russell-Sanuders and JJ coupling.. Differentiate between spin-orbit, Russell-Sanuders and JJ coupling..

  5. Week 5Module 3:
    • Unit 1: Symmetry and Group Theory · 8 hours

      Understand the meaning of symmetry, group theory, symmetry elements and their application to molecular problems.. Learn about symmetry group, group theory, symmetry elements, symmetry operations and application of symmetry.. Apply symmetry and group theory to solve molecular problems..

  6. Week 6Module 3:
    • Unit 2: Heat capacity of solid Crystal · 7 hours

      Define heat capacity and understand models explaining heat capacity of solid crystal.. Explore Dulong and Petite, Loius and Einstein models.. Apply Dulong and Petite, Loius and Einstein models to solve heat capacity problems..

  7. Week 7Module 1:
    • Unit 1: The Schrödinger equation · 6 hours

      Review Module 1: The Schrödinger equation and Theories of bonding.. Practice problems related to the Schrödinger equation and theories of bonding.. Complete assignments related to Module 1..

    • Unit 2: Theories of bonding · 6 hours

      Review Module 1: The Schrödinger equation and Theories of bonding.. Practice problems related to the Schrödinger equation and theories of bonding.. Complete assignments related to Module 1..

  8. Week 8Module 2:
    • Unit 1: Molecular Spectroscopy · 6 hours

      Review Module 2: Molecular Spectroscopy and Coupling in Spectroscopy.. Practice problems related to Molecular Spectroscopy and Coupling in Spectroscopy.. Complete assignments related to Module 2..

    • Unit 2: Coupling in Spectroscopy · 6 hours

      Review Module 2: Molecular Spectroscopy and Coupling in Spectroscopy.. Practice problems related to Molecular Spectroscopy and Coupling in Spectroscopy.. Complete assignments related to Module 2..

  9. Week 9Module 3:
    • Unit 1: Symmetry and Group Theory · 6 hours

      Review Module 3: Symmetry and Group Theory and Heat capacity of solid Crystal.. Practice problems related to Symmetry and Group Theory and Heat capacity of solid Crystal.. Complete assignments related to Module 3..

    • Unit 2: Heat capacity of solid Crystal · 6 hours

      Review Module 3: Symmetry and Group Theory and Heat capacity of solid Crystal.. Practice problems related to Symmetry and Group Theory and Heat capacity of solid Crystal.. Complete assignments related to Module 3..

  10. Week 10Module 1:
    • Unit 1: The Schrödinger equation · 12 hours

      Work on Tutor Marked Assignment 1 (TMA 1).. Focus on topics from Module 1.. Review all units in Module 1..

  11. Week 11Module 2:
    • Unit 1: Molecular Spectroscopy · 12 hours

      Work on Tutor Marked Assignment 2 (TMA 2).. Focus on topics from Module 2.. Review all units in Module 2..

  12. Week 12Module 3:
    • Unit 1: Symmetry and Group Theory · 12 hours

      Work on Tutor Marked Assignment 3 (TMA 3).. Focus on topics from Module 3.. Review all units in Module 3..

  13. Week 13Module 1:
    • Unit 1: The Schrödinger equation · 12 hours

      Comprehensive course review.. Focus on key concepts and formulas.. Practice exam questions..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create concept maps linking Schrödinger equation to its applications.
  • Practice solving quantum chemical problems from Units 3-5 weekly.
  • Review molecular spectroscopy principles from Units 7-9 regularly.
  • Focus on understanding symmetry elements and point groups in Unit 11.
  • Practice applying group theory to solve molecular problems from Unit 11.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CHM307 about?

This course introduces fundamental aspects of atomic and molecular symmetry. It covers the derivation of the Schrodinger equation and its application to orbitals, including solving problems like particle in a one-dimensional box. Molecular spectroscopy theories are explored, encompassing vibrational, rotational, electronic, and rovibrational spectroscopies. The course also delves into concepts like coupling, resonance, and Walsh's rule, along with symmetry and group theory, examining symmetry elements, point groups, and their applications. Finally, it discusses the heat capacity of crystal solids and associated laws.

How many units does CHM307 have?

CHM307, Atomic And Molecular Structure And Symmetry, has 5 units across 3 modules, over 136 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CHM307?

CHM307 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.

Is CHM307 hard?

CHM307 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.

How long does CHM307 take to study?

About 156 hours of study, spread across its 5 units.

How is CHM307 assessed?

CHM307 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What do I need before starting CHM307?

General Chemistry Basic Physics Calculus

What can I do with CHM307?

Chemist, Spectroscopist, Materials Scientist, Researcher and Lecturer.

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