2025 (Current Year) 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
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 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. Finally, the fundamentals of reaction dynamics on solution are given to understand diffusion-rate reactions.
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 rate, the reaction rate constant, the reaction rate equation, and the reaction order and molecurality | Understand the basic concepts on reaction kinetics |
| Class 2 | The first-order reaction | 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 analysis of complex reactions (the steady-state approximation) | Understand the steady-state approximation as a useful tool for analyzing complex reactions. |
| Class 5 | The analysis of complex reactions (Michaelis-Mentene mechanism, Runge-Kutta method) | Understand enzyme reactions. Understand Runge-Kutta method to solve complex rate equations. |
| Class 6 | The Arrhenius equation: Simple model of 2-body collision | Derive the Arrhenius equation from simple 2-body collision model. |
| Class 7 | The Arrhenius equation: Improved model of 2-body collision | By improving the simple 2-body collision model, derive the Arrhenius equation more accurately. |
| 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 | Reactions in solution: Fick’s law | Explain what the Fisk’s low is. |
| Class 12 | The bimolecular reaction in solution | Apply the Fick’s law to the bimolecular reaction in solution. |
| Class 13 | Diffusion-rate reaction | Understand what is the diffusion-rate reaction. Derive difference of the rate constant between gas-phase and diffusion-rate reactions. |
| Class 14 | Ionic atmosphere effect | Derive ionic atopsphere effect on the reaction rate in solution. |
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)