Course detail

Physical Chemistry I

FCH-BC_FCH1Acad. year: 2025/2026

Subject of thermodynamics, basic terminology. State behaviour of gases. Internal energy and its meaning. 1st law of thermodynamics. Enthalpy, thermal capacities. Thermochemistry. Carnot cycle. Entropy. Irreversible processes. Second law of thermodynamics. Meaning and measuring of entropy. Joined formulations of the first and second laws. Thermodynamic quantities as functions. Gibbs and Helmholtz energy. Equilibrium and their criteria. Chemical potential, fugacity. Third law of thermodynamics. Phase equilibria, diagrams, criteria of phase equilibrium. Thermodynamics of solutions, activity, standard states. Chemical equilibria, extent of reaction, reaction Gibbs ebergy, reaction isotherm, equilibrium constant. Electrolyte solutions. Solution conductivity, velocity of ions. Principles of theory of interaction between ions. Electrolysis, Faraday laws. Electrolytic and galvanic cells, electrodes, electrode potential, electromotive force. Nernst equation. Types of electrodes and cells. Electrochemistry in practice.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Miloslav Pekař, CSc.

Department

Institute of Physical and Applied Chemistry (ÚFSCH)

Entry knowledge

Basic undergraduate mathematics (calculus) and physics (mechanics, electrostatic field, electric current).

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Attendance is obligatory and may be checked. Studying is checked by periodical written tests on seminars and active learning activities.
Seminar:
Average of results of periodical written tests (50 points at least); when lower than 50 summary test should be written and 50 points achieved at least.
Exam:
Combination of avergae from seminars (weight 30%) and results of exam (weight 70%). The exam has written and oral part. Written part - ten questions, answers marked by up to 10 points, limit to pass and for oral exam: 50 points. Failed oral part may be repeated without repeating written part.
Attendance is obligatory and may be checked. Studying is checked by periodical written tests on seminars and active learning activities.

Aims

Finishing this course students will be able to describe and explain behavior of chemically reacting as well as non-reacting (multiphase) systems using the quantities, principles and equations of thermodynamics and to explain behavior and properties of aqueous solutions of electrolytes and how to explore their ability to conduct electrical current

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Pekař M.: Přednášky z termodynamiky a elektrochemie. FCH VUT v Brně, Brno 2014 (CS)

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Miloslav Pekař, CSc.

Syllabus

1. Introduction, basic concepts (temperature, heat, energy).
2. Internal energy, work, kinetic theory of ideal gas.
3. First law, thermochemistry.
4. Second law, entropy.
5. Combined first and second laws, thermodynamic functions, third law.
6. Thermodynamics of mixtures - principles, partial molar quantities, chemical potential.
7. Phase behaviour - general principles, real gases.
8. Phase behaviour of one-component systems. Thermodynamics of solutions, activity.
9. Phase behaviour of multi-component systems.
10. Chemical equilibria, equilibrium constant.
11. Electrolytes, conductivity, current conduction in solutions.
12. Equilibria in solutions of electrolytes, interactions between ions. Electrochemical cells.
13. Examples of cells and electrodes, electrolysis, practical electrochemistry

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Miloslav Pekař, CSc.

Syllabus

shodně s přednáškami

VUT

Faculties

University Institutes

Parts

Physical Chemistry I

Type of course unit