2024 Faculty Courses School of Science Undergraduate major in Chemistry
Introductory Chemical Kinetics
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Chemistry
- Instructor(s)
- Shun-Ichi Ishiuchi / Masashi Kitajima
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Tue / 3-4 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CHM.C301
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The course gives the overview of the chemical reaction from the macroscopic and microscopic points of view. First of all the basic concepts, i.e. the reaction rate, reaction rate constant, rate equation, reaction order and molecularity, are given. Then, the characteristics of the first-order and second-order reactions is shown. From the microscopic points of view the transition state theory on the rate constant is discussed. From more microscopic points of view the concepts of the reaction cross section is introduced instead of the rate constant , and the relation between the reaction rate constant and reaction cross section is discussed.
The aim of this course is getting the basic recipe for understnading chemical reactions.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course students will be able to understand,
chemical reactions from the macroscopic points of view and microscopic points of view, i.e. atomic and molecular picture,
Keywords
Reaction kinetics, Transition state theory
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The lessons in the first half term concern the chemical reaction from the macroscopic points of view, the lessons in the second half term concern the chemical reaction from the microscopic points of view. Every lesson consists of mainly a lecture.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | The reaction from the macroscopic points of view(the reaction rate, the reaction rate constant, and the reaction rate equation) | Understand the basic concepts on reaction kinetics |
| Class 2 | The reaction from the macroscopic points of view(the reaction order and molecurality ) and first-order reaction | Understand the difference between the reaction order and molecularity. Understand the characteristics of the first-order reaction. |
| Class 3 | The second-order reaction and pseudofirst-order reaction | Understand the characteritics of the second-order reaction and pseudofirst-order reaction. |
| Class 4 | The reaction intermediate | Understand what the reaction intermediate is. |
| Class 5 | The analysis of complex reactions(the steady-state approximation) | Understand the steady-state approximation as a useful tool for analyzing complex reactions. |
| Class 6 | The Arrhenius equation | Understand what the Arrhenius equation is and the concept of the activation energy. |
| Class 7 | A simple model for the temperature dependence of the reaction rate | Understand the temperature dependence of the reaction rate for bimolecular reactions with a simple model. |
| Class 8 | The bimolecular reaction and potential energy surface | Explain the bimolecular reaction by use of the potential energy surface. |
| Class 9 | The transition state theory(What is the transition state?) | Explain the outline of the transition state theory. |
| Class 10 | The transition state theory(The way to the Arrhenius equation) | Derive the Arrhenius equation within the transition state theory. |
| Class 11 | The reaction as a two-body collision(1)-The collision cross section | Explain what the collision cross section is. |
| Class 12 | The reaction as a two-body collision-The bimolecular reaction and collision | Understand that the bimolecular reaction is considered a kind of collisions. |
| Class 13 | The reaction as a two-body collision(3)-The reaction cross section and reaction rate constant | Derive the relation between the rate constant of the bimolecular reaction and reaction cross sections. |
| Class 14 | Summary | Understand the chemical reaction from the macroscopic and microscopic points of view. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Home-made textbook is distributed.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
P.W. Atkins., Physical Chemistry (Oxford University Press, 1998)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students are assessed on understanding of basic concepts and applicability of them.
Homework assignments 20%
Final examination 80%
Related courses
- CHM.C201 ： Introductory Quantum Chemistry
- CHM.C202 ： Chemical and Statistical Thermodynamics
- CHM.C334 ： Chemical Kinetics
- CHM.C303 ： Exercise in Introductory Chemical Kinetics
Prerequisites
We recommend that students have successfully completed Introductory Quantum Chemistry (CHM.C201) and Chemical and Statistical Thermodynamics（CHM.C202）. We recommend that students take Exercise in Introductory Chemical Kinetics(CHM.C303 ) as well.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Shun-ichi Ishiuchi: ishiuchi[at]chem.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by email in advance to schdule an appointment.
Shun-ichi Ishiuchi (Main Building, Room B19)