Integrating Statistical Mechanics with Experimental Data from the Rotational–Vibrational Spectrum of HCl into the Physical Chemistry Laboratory

Bret R. Findley
Department of Chemistry and Physics, Saint Michael''s College, Colchester, VT 05439
Steven E. Mylon
Department of Chemistry, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042
J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (12), p 1670
DOI: 10.1021/ed085p1670
Publication Date (Web): December 1, 2008
History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

We introduce a computer exercise that bridges spectroscopy and thermodynamics using statistical mechanics and the experimental data taken from the commonly used laboratory exercise involving the rotational–vibrational spectrum of HCl. Based on the results from the analysis of their HCl spectrum, students calculate bulk thermodynamic properties such as internal energy, absolute entropy, molar enthalpy of formation, and Gibbs energy of formation at 25 °C. This exercise serves as an opportunity for students to review the vibrational–rotational spectrum of HCl and to put in to practice their knowledge of statistical mechanics. The results show excellent agreement with values found in most introductory physical chemistry texts. This is a nice teaching tool because it uses experimental data to demonstrate the inter-relationship between quantum mechanical states and the bulk thermodynamic properties of gases.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

IR Spectroscopy
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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