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Physical Chemistry Flashcards

explain the physical and chemical properties of matter.

1
Q

What is physical chemistry?

A

The branch of chemistry that establishes and develops the principles of the subject.

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2
Q

What does physical chemistry explain and interpret?

A

Observations on the physical and chemical properties of matter

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3
Q

Why is physical chemistry essential?

A

For developing and interpreting modern techniques to determine the structure and properties of matter (new synthetic materials and biological
membranes)

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4
Q

What phenomena does physical chemistry study?

A

Macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems

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5
Q

What principles does physical chemistry apply?

A

Laws and concepts of physics such as motion, energy, force, time, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, dynamics, and equilibrium

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6
Q

How is physical chemistry defined in terms of methods?

A

The application of the methods of physics to chemical problems

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7
Q

What types of study does physical chemistry include?

A

Qualitative and quantitative study, both experimental and theoretical

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8
Q

What does physical chemistry determine?

A

The general principles determining the behavior of matter and the transformation of one substance into another

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9
Q

What scales of chemical properties does physical chemistry study?

A

Different scales of physical detail of many different types of substances

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10
Q

What do macroscopic properties of substances describe?

A

How relatively large quantities of the substance behave as a group, e.g. melting points and boiling points

Includes latent heats of fusion and vaporization, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, coefficient of linear thermal expansion, and many other physical properties.

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11
Q

What are microscopic properties of substances concerned with?

A

Details of their physical properties observable only using magnification provided by microscopes

Includes shapes and structures of crystals, which can affect the behavior of large sections of material.

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12
Q

What do atomic properties relate to?

A

Elements

Elements consist of many individual atoms, while compounds consist of many molecules made of specific combinations of atoms.

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13
Q

Give an example of an atomic property.

A

Atomic numbers and atomic mass

For example, Boron has atomic number 5 and atomic mass 10.81.

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14
Q

What is the focus of subatomic properties in Physical Chemistry?

A

Using theories, measurements, and techniques from physics - to study, understand, and explain chemical substances.

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15
Q

How is Physical Chemistry often simplified in definition?

A

As the ‘physics of chemicals’

This phrase may help to remember or work out a simple definition of physical chemistry.

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16
Q

What is the area of chemistry that studies the physical properties and structure of matter?

A

Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry also examines the laws of chemical interaction and the theories governing them.

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17
Q

What are the three main purposes of physical chemistry?

A

• To collect data on properties of gases, liquids, solids, solutions, and colloidal dispersions
• To systemize this data into laws
• To provide a theoretical foundation

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18
Q

How is physical chemistry defined in relation to physics?

A

It is the application of the methods of physics to chemical problems.

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19
Q

List the main areas into which physical chemistry can be organized.

A

• Thermodynamics
• Kinetic theory
• Electrochemistry
• Quantum mechanics
• Chemical kinetics
• Statistical thermodynamics

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20
Q

What basic concepts of physics are important to physical chemistry?

A

Classical mechanics

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21
Q

What is the primary focus of physical chemistry compared to organic and inorganic chemistry?

A

Theoretical principles and quantitative problems

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22
Q

Describe the systemic approach in physical chemistry.

A

Investigation begins with fundamental particles and constructs larger systems from them.

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23
Q

What does the term ‘microscopic’ refer to in the context of physical chemistry?

A

Tiny constituents of matter

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24
Q

Describe the phenomenological approach in physical chemistry.

A

The study starts with macroscopic material that can be easily observed, measuring properties such as pressure and volume.

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25
What does the term 'macroscopic' refer to in physical chemistry?
Large material that can be easily observed with the eye
26
Fill in the blank: Physical chemistry is primarily concerned with _______ rather than the description of chemical substances.
theoretical principles
27
What are the main disciplines of physical chemistry?
* Thermodynamics * Kinetics * Quantum Mechanics * Statistical Mechanics * Spectroscopy * Photochemistry ## Footnote Each discipline focuses on different aspects of chemical processes and interactions.
28
Define thermodynamics in the context of physical chemistry.
The relationship between energy interconversion by materials and the molecular properties. ## Footnote Thermodynamics helps to understand how energy is transferred and transformed in chemical reactions.
29
What does kinetics study?
Rates of chemical processes. ## Footnote Kinetics provides insight into how quickly reactions occur and the factors that influence these rates.
30
What is the focus of quantum mechanics in physical chemistry?
Phenomena at the molecular level. ## Footnote Quantum mechanics explains the behavior of matter at the atomic and subatomic levels.
31
Explain statistical mechanics.
Relationships between individual molecules and bulk properties of matter. ## Footnote Statistical mechanics bridges the gap between microscopic and macroscopic properties of materials.
32
What is spectroscopy?
Non-destructive interaction of light (energy) and matter to study chemical structure. ## Footnote Spectroscopy techniques can provide valuable information about molecular composition and structure.
33
Define photochemistry.
Interaction of light and matter with the intent of coherently altering molecular structure. ## Footnote Photochemistry is important in understanding processes like photosynthesis and photopolymerization.
34
What is matter composed of?
Electrons and nuclei (neutrons and protons). ## Footnote Matter can be further divided into subatomic particles, which are the building blocks of atoms.
35
What is the basic unit of matter?
Atom. ## Footnote Atoms are the smallest units of elements, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
36
How many protons, neutrons, and electrons does oxygen have?
8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 8 electrons. ## Footnote This unique composition defines oxygen as an element.
37
How many protons and electrons does hydrogen have?
1 proton and 1 electron. ## Footnote Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe.
38
What is the chemical formula for water?
H2O. ## Footnote Water consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.
39
What are the major components of air?
Oxygen and nitrogen. ## Footnote These gases are essential for life and are found in the atmosphere as diatomic molecules.
40
What are the three normal phases of matter?
* Solid * Liquid * Gas ## Footnote Each phase has distinct characteristics and behaviors.
41
Fill in the blank: The property of matter existing as solid, liquid, or gas is called the ______.
phase of the matter. ## Footnote The phase of matter is determined by temperature and pressure conditions.
42
What characterizes the solid phase?
Molecules are closely bound; holds shape; fixed volume
43
What is the behavior of molecules in the liquid phase?
Molecular forces are weaker; takes the shape of its container; fixed volume
44
How do gases behave in terms of molecular forces?
Molecular forces are very weak; fills its container; takes both shape and volume
45
Define mass in the context of physical properties
Largely due to the nuclei; related to thermal properties
46
What is the role of electric charge in molecular binding?
Atoms and molecules are bound together by electrostatic interactions
47
Explain the concept of magnetism as a physical property
Nucleus interacts with magnetic fields; little consequence for atomic or molecular structure
48
What is spin in the context of physical properties?
Least tangible property; electrons and nuclei spin like little planets
49
What is a substance?
A pure form of matter
50
How is the amount of substance reported?
In terms of moles
51
What does 1 mol of a substance contain?
Approximately 6.02 x 10^23 entities
52
What is Avogadro’s Number?
NA = 6.02 x 10^23 mol-1
53
Define extensive property
Dependent upon the amount of matter in the substance (e.g., mass & volume)
54
Define intensive property
Independent of the amount of matter in a substance (e.g., mass density, pressure, temperature)
55
What is a molar property?
An extensive property divided by the amount of substance, n: Xm = X/n
56
What is molar concentration?
Moles of solute dissolved in litres of solvent; 1.0 M = 1.0 mol L-1
57
What is the object of study in physical chemistry called?
System ## Footnote The system may be solid, liquid, gaseous, or a combination of these.
58
What distinguishes a macroscopic system from a microscopic system?
Macroscopic system involves a large number of individual components; microscopic system focuses on individual atoms and molecules.
59
What are the surroundings in relation to a system?
The surroundings are everything outside the system. ## Footnote The system plus the surroundings compose a universe.
60
What defines an open system?
An open system allows transfer of heat and material.
61
What is a closed system?
A closed system permits transfer of heat but no material exchange.
62
What characterizes an isolated system?
An isolated system permits neither matter nor heat exchange across its boundary.
63
Fill in the blank: A system is said to be _____ if neither matter nor heat can exchange across the boundary.
isolated
64
What type of system can be achieved by surrounding it with an insulating container?
Isolated system
65
Example of measuring peroperties of a system?
Pressure, temperature, and volume
65
What is intensive preperty?
if the value of the property *does not change* with the quantity of matter present
66
**Pressure, temperature, and refractive index **are example of what property?
Intensive property
67
What is extensive property?
if the property *does change* with the quantity of matter present
68
Volume and mass is an example of?
Extensive property
69
What is the ratio of two extensive property?
Intensive property | density of a sample is an intensive quality obtained by the division of
70

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