Learning Outcomes for UNIT 4

Each student should have a good grasp of the following learning outcomes for unit 4. Unit 4 is assessed on Exam 4 which is on Tuesday 5/1/12 from 7-9 PM. Read the numbered points and self assess yourself on how well you know the topic.

Kinetics

Students will be able to...

  1. Understand the concept of rate of change associated with chemical change, recognizing that the rate of change for a chemical reaction can be determined by experimentally by monitoring the change in concentration of a reactant or product with time.
  2. Determine rate law of chemical change based on experimental data (Method of Initial Rates).
  3. Be able to identify the reaction order for a chemical change by analysis of data, or interpreting the rate law, or interpreting the units on k, or interpreting plotted data, or interpreting half-life vs conc behavior.
  4. Apply integrated rate equations to solve for the concentration of chemical species during a reaction of different orders.
  5. Understand the concept of mechanism and using rate law data predict whether or not a proposed mechanism is viable or not.
  6. Recall and explain why certain factors such as concentration, temperature, medium and the presence of a catalyst will affect the speed of a chemical change.
  7. Interpret a reaction coordinate diagram (aka: potential energy diagram) and determine if such a diagram supports a given mechanism, including the concept of the transition state and the reaction intermediate.
  8. Interpret a reaction coordinate diagram and determine how many steps a mechanism has AND which step is the rate-determining step. Also determine what the overall activation energy is.
  9. Understand the concept on activation energy in the context of the transition state and be able to calculate the activation energy given some experimental data.
  10. Recall, manipulate and properly employ the Arrhenius Law (equation) to determine various unknowns, including the new activation energy for a reaction running in the presence of a catalyst, the new rate constant for a reaction running at a different temperature and vice versa.
  11. Explain the function and purpose of a catalyst.

Topics are from Chapter 15, all sections except 7.

Nuclear

Students will be able to...

  1. Explain the macroscopic observables associated with nuclear change.
  2. Explain the microscopic or chemists view of nuclear change.
  3. Identify and define various types of nuclear transmutation including fission, fusion and decay reactions.
  4. Use proper isotopic notation to write down and balance a nuclear reaction.
  5. State and compare the differences and similarities between a nuclear change and a chemical change.
  6. Understand and explain the concept of ionizing radiation and distinguish between the three different types of radiation.
  7. Understand and explain the concept of isotopic stability including the band of stability.
  8. Understand the concept of rate of change and half life in the context of nuclear decay.

Topics are from Chapter 20, sections 1-3.