Chemical equilibria and the law of mass action as applied to:
- Acid-base equilibria
- Complex formation equilibria
- Solubility equilibria
- Redox equilibria
- Distribution equilibria
The above parts will be mainly dealt with in lectures and class exercises. Knowledge gained in equilibrium theory will be employed when solving practical problems as a project task by means of a computer. Another application of chemical equilibria will be the laboratory exercises dealing with separation of metal ions.
This course aims at providing the students with sufficient knowledge for them to master equilibrium problems. They should acquire the skill for subjecting these problems to critical analysis as well as assessing the results in terms of reasonableness.
After completed course the student should be able to:
• Identify the unknown variables in the problem
• Find as many equations as there are variables
• Make reasonable approximations for solving the problem without recourse to a computer
• Control the approximations being adequate
• Bring the correct stochiometry to bear on any equilibrium problem
• Utilize correct charge balance whenever ions participate
• Make the correct link between partial pressures and concentrations
• Calculate gaseous equilibria
• Calculate the pH in acidic and basic solutions
• Prepare appropriate buffer solutions and calculate their pH as well as the pH during acid-base titrations
• Calculate the solubility of gases, of ionic solids and the distribution of a given substance between two different solvents
• Calculate the potential of a galvanic cell (i.e: EMF = Electromotive force) as a function of the cells composition
• Calculate equilibrium constants of redox reactions by means of cell potential data and vice versa
• Plan and carry out laboratory exercises aiming at the quantitative separation of metal ions
• Solve complex equilibrium problems aided by an appropriate computer programme