2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Kinetic Theory of Molecules A
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Hiroyuki Wada
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu
- Class
- A
- Course Code
- CAP.H303
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
[Description of the course] In this course, collision theory and transport phenomena based on gas molecular kinetics will be explained. Transition state theory is explained based on the knowledge of statistical thermodynamics (Gibbs energy and chemical equilibrium).
[Aim of the course] In chemical reactions, it is important to analyze reaction rates. In this lecture, students will develop the ability to derive the rate of chemical reactions by using collision theory and transition state theory based on kinetic theory of gas molecules and statistical thermodynamics, respectively. In addition, students will develop the ability to explain diffusion, heat conduction, and viscosity from the standpoint of gas molecular kinetics.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students acquire the following abilities:
(1) To be able to explain transport phenomena such as pressure, collision between molecules, and diffusion based on classical mechanics.
(2) Explain the meaning of Gibbs energy in statistical thermodynamics and the interpretation of chemical equilibrium in statistical thermodynamics.
(3) Analyze collisions between molecules using classical mechanics, and derive the rate of chemical reactions based on information on the transition state of reactions obtained from statistical thermodynamics.
Keywords
Statistical thermodynamics, Gibbs energy, chemical equilibrium, collision theory, transition state theory, transport phenomena
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course will proceed in the following order:(1) kinetics of gases, (2) statistical thermodynamics, (3) molecular dynamics of reactions, and (4) transport phenomena. On the last day, students will do exercises for checking their comprehension, and the instructor will provide explanation about the exercises.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Kinetic model of gases, collisions of gas molecules | Explain kinetic model of gases. Derive collision frequency and mean free path. |
| Class 2 | Collision theory | Derive reaction rate constants from collision theory. |
| Class 3 | Gibbs energy, chemical equilibrium | Explain thermodynamic functions and chemical equilibrium. |
| Class 4 | Transition state theory, kinetics of molecular collisions | Derive reaction rate constants using transition state theory. Explain the kinetics of molecular collisions. |
| Class 5 | Transport phenomena (diffusion, heat conduction, viscosity) | Explain transport phenomena (diffusion, heat conduction, viscosity). |
| Class 6 | Practice problems and remarks for confirming the level of understanding | Solve practice problems by accurately understanding all of the above lectures |
| Class 7 | Final exam. | Final exam. |
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)
P. Atkins, J. de Paula, "Physical Chemistry", 10th Ed., Oxford University Press; ISBN-13: 978-0199697403
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None required
Evaluation methods and criteria
Final examination (70%), level of class participation (30%) (The level of class participation will be calculated by quizzes and so on in the class.)
Related courses
- LAS.C107 ： Basic Chemical Thermodynamics
- CAP.B216 ： Physical Chemistry I (Thermodynamics)
- CAP.B217 ： Physical Chemistry II (Chemical Equilibrium)
- CAP.B218 ： Physical Chemistry III (Kinetics)
- CAP.H204 ： Physical Chemistry IV (Statistical Mechanics)
Prerequisites
The condition of the study will not be made, but it is desirable to study LAS.C107 ： Basic Chemical Thermodynamics, CAP.B216 ： Physical Chemistry I (Thermodynamics), CAP.B217 ： Physical Chemistry II (Chemical Equilibrium), CAP.B218 ： Physical Chemistry III (Kinetics), CAP.H204 ： Physical Chemistry IV (Statistical Mechanics).
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Hiroyuki Wada (wada.h.ac[at]m.titech.ac.jp)
Office hours
Make an appointment by an e-mail in advance.
Other
Students in Classes 1 and 2 should take Class [A], and students in Classes 3 and 4 should take Class [B].