Textbook: Physical Chemistry (Atkins, 7th or 8th edition)

Topics to be covered:

  • Introduction to quantum mechanics (Ch 11, Ch12, Ch 8)

- The failures of classical physics
- Wave-particle duality
- The Schroedinger equation
- The Born interpretation of the wavefunction
- The uncertainty principle
- The postulates of quantum mechanics

  • Quantum theory: techniques and applications (Ch 11, Ch12, Ch 9)

- Translational motion
- Vibrational motion
- Rotational motion

  • Molecular spectroscopy 1: rotational and vibrational spectra (Ch 12, Ch16, Ch13)

- Experimental techniques
- Intensities of spectral lines
- Pure rotation spectra (moments of inertia, rotational energy levels, rotational transitions)
- The vibrations of diatomic species (molecular vibrations, selection rules, anharmonicity, vibration-rotation spectra)
- Vibrations of polyatomic species

  • Molecular spectroscopy 2: electronic transitions (Ch 17, Ch 14)

- The electronic spectra of diatomic molecules
- The electronic spectra of polyatomic molecules

  • Atomic structure and atomic spectra (Ch 13, Ch 10)

- The structure of hydrogenic atoms
- The structure of many-electron atoms
- The spectra of complex atoms (spin-orbit coupling, term symbols,selection rules)

  • Molecular Symmetry (Ch 15, Ch 12)

- Operations and symmetry elements
- The symmetry classification of molecules

  • Molecular Structure (Ch 14, Ch 11)

- Valence-bond theory (homonuclear diatomic molecules, polyatomic molecules)
- Molecular orbital theory (The hydrogen molecule-ion, homonuclear diatomic molecules,heteronuclear diatomic molecules)
- Polyatomic molecules

  • Hückel molecular orbital theory (Ch 14, Ch 11)