An Integrated, Statistical Molecular Approach to the Physical Chemistry Curriculum

Stephen F. Cartier
Department of Chemistry, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC 28815
J. Chem. Educ., 2009, 86 (12), p 1397
DOI: 10.1021/ed086p1397
Publication Date (Web): December 1, 2009

Abstract

As an alternative to the "thermodynamics first" or "quantum first" approaches to the physical chemistry curriculum, the statistical definition of entropy and the Boltzmann distribution are introduced in the first days of the course and the entire two-semester curriculum is then developed from these concepts. Once the tools of statistical mechanics have been introduced, they are immediately applied to quantum mechanical systems of increasing complexity. Subsequently, thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors are interpreted from a classical as well as molecular perspective. Statistical entropy serves as the unifying theme throughout the course and provides students the ability to conceptualize the statistical molecular behavior of matter from the microscopic to the macroscopic. Through this approach to the curriculum, students experience and learn the many, often disparate, concepts of physical chemistry as a more cohesive field of study.

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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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