Descriptif

CHE201:  Introduction to Reactivity

In this course, strongly focused on physical chemistry and material science, we review the basics of thermodynamics to comprehend chemical reactivity, setting up the basis to calculate energy balances, predict the spontaneity of reactions or determine the conditions of equilibrium.  We will revise also chemical kinetics, discover what factors determine reaction’s rate and the importance of catalysts to control and speed up reactions, very present in environmental sciences, industries and biochemistry. An overview on structure of materials, surface science and nanomaterials will complement this semester. To assimilate all the concepts learnt during lectures and tutorials, we strongly believe in the importance of experimental labs, hence up to 7 interactive labs are planned, such as designing a calorimeter, synthesis of nanomaterials or observing surface reactivity by spectroscopic means.