Chemistry 3300

Fall 2016
MWF 11:10 AM-Noon
Room Buttrick 101

Professor Michael P. Stone, Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Room SC 5524, 322-2589, email: michael.p.stone@vanderbilt.edu
Office Hours: Thur and Fri 3-4 pm or by appointment
Welcome to Chem 3300!
This class will introduce principles of quantum chemistry applied to molecular structure and bonding, and
spectroscopy. It will also introduce principles of chemical kinetics. The course will be taught at an
introductory level. It will be assumed that students have completed a general chemistry course equivalent to
the Chemistry 1601/1602 course taught at Vanderbilt University, and an introductory calculus course
equivalent to the Math 1200/1201 or the Math 1300/1301 courses taught at Vanderbilt University. The goal is
for students to become familiar with basic concepts in quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, and kinetics.
Textbook
Physical Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Structure, and Change, 10 th Ed.
Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula
Lectures
Three lectures each week. The first portion of the course will introduce basic concepts in quantum chemistry.
Then, we will examine various types of spectroscopy in more detail. Finally, we will discuss chemical kinetics.
Reading and Homework
Reading and homework will be assigned regularly. The homework will not be graded. However, similar
problems will appear on quizzes and exams.
Quizzes and Examinations
Quizzes will be given most Fridays. These will test understanding of the lecture content, reading material,
and homework. The lowest three quiz grades will be dropped before computing the quiz grade, which will
count toward 25% of the course grade. There are no make-up quizzes.
There will be three one-hour examinations, each of which will count toward 25% of the course grade.
September 26, 2016
November 2, 2016
December 15, 2016

Chapters 7-10
Chapters 11-14; 17
Chapters 18; 20-22

The December 15 date is the final examination period. The December 15 exam will focus on the last portion
of the course.
No make-up examinations will be given and there is no alternate final exam period.
Honor Code:
The Vanderbilt University Honor Code will be in effect for the graded quizzes and the three one-hour
examinations. Students are encouraged to collaborate on homework.

Part I. Quantum Chemistry and Atomic and Molecular Structure

Week 1

Chapter 7
Introduction to Quantum Theory
Aug 24
Origins of Quantum Mechanics
Aug 26
Dynamics of Microscopic Systems
Aug 29
Principles of Quantum Theory

Week 2

Chapter 8
The Quantum Theory of Motion
Aug 31
Translation
Sept 2
Vibration
Sept 5
Rotation

Week 3

Chapter 9
Atomic Structure and Spectra
Sept 7
Hydrogen Atoms
Sept 9
Many Electron Atoms
Sept 12
Atomic Spectroscopy

Week 4

Chapter 10
Molecular Structure
Sept 14
Valence Bond Theory
Sept 16
Molecular Orbital Theory
Sept 19
Heteronuclear Diatomic Molecules

Week 5

Chapter 11
Molecular Symmetry
Sept 21
Symmetry Elements
Sept 23
Group Theory

Exam

Sept 26

Chapters 7-10
Part II.

Molecular Spectroscopy

Week 6

Chapter 12
Rotational and Vibrational Spectra
Sept 28
Rotational Spectroscopy
Sept 30
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Diatomics
Oct 3
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Polyatomic

Week 7

Chapter 13
Electronic Transitions
Oct 5
Electronic Spectra
Oct 7
Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
Oct 10
Lasers

Week 8

Chapter 14
Magnetic Resonance
Oct 12
General Principles
Oct 17
Pulse techniques in NMR
Oct 19
EPR

Week 9

Chapter 17
Macromolecules and Self-Assembly
Oct 21
Structures and Properties
Oct 24
Self Assembly
Oct 26
Determination of Size and Shape

Week 10

Chapter 18
Solids
Oct 28
Crystal Structure
Oct 31
Bonding in Solids

Exam Nov 2

Chapters 11-14; 17

Part III. Chemical Kinetics

Week 11

Chapter 20
Chemical Kinetics
Nov 4
Rates of Chemical Reactions
Nov 7
Integrated Rate Laws
Nov 9
The Arrhenius Equation

Week 12

Chapter 20; continued

Nov 11
Reaction Mechanisms
Nov 14
Photochemistry
Nov 16
Enzymes

Week 13

Chapter 21
Reaction Dynamics
Nov 18
Collisions
Nov 28
Transition State Theory
Nov 30
Dynamics of Collisions

Week 14

Chapter 22
Surface Chemistry
Dec 2
Solid Surfaces
Dec 5
Adsorption and Desorption
Dec 7
Heterogeneous Catalysis

Exam

Dec 15 3 pm Chapters 18, 20-22