Course detail

Physical Chemistry I

FCH-BAA_FCH1Acad. year: 2025/2026

Subject of thermodynamics, basics 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 stability. 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

English

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Zdenka Kozáková, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Physical and Applied Chemistry (ÚFSCH)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

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

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Seminar:
Succesfully passed all periodical written tests in the total score of 50% points. Passed seminar is necessary for the exam.
Exam:
Written and oral part. Written part - ten questions, answers marked by up to 100 points, limit to pass: 50 points. No oral part after unsuccessful written part. Failed oral part may be repeated without repeating written part.
Seminars only:
Periodical written tests in exercises.

Aims

The goal of the subject Physical chemistry I. is to provide the students with the rudiments of chemical thermodynamics and electrochemistry in such a way, that the students are able to utilize them by the solution of problems in laboratory and industrial practice. Simultaneously, the obtained knowledge serves as a basis for the study of other subjects.
Student will master principles of chemical thermodynamics and electrochemistry, their significance in practice and should be able to apply obtained knowledge in specialized courses and in solution to various practical problems.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

PEKAŘ, M. Lecture Notes on Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry. Brno: VUTR v Brně, Fakulta chemická, 2008. ISBN: 978-80-214-3628- 2. (EN)

Recommended reading

ATKINS, P., DE PAULA, J.: Atkins' Physical Chemistry. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPAP_ENVI Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Zdenka Kozáková, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction, basic concepts, kinetic theory of ideal and real gas
2. First law of thermodynamics
3. Thermochemistry
4. Second law of thermodynamics, entropy, combined first and second laws, third law of thermodynamics
5. Thermodynamics of mixtures - principles
6. Phase behaviour - general principles, one-component systems, solutions
7. Phase behaviour of multi-component systems
8. Chemical equilibria - equilibrium constant
9. Chemical equilibria - reaction and standard reaction thermochemical quantities
10. Electrolytes, conductivity, current conduction in soilutions
11. Equilibria in solutions of electrolytes, interactions between ions
12. Electrochemical cells
13. Examples of cells, electrolysis, practical electrochemistry

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Zdenka Kozáková, Ph.D.