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Experimentation Laboratory in Physical Chemistry

Code: 105043
Credits: 3
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Chemistry OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
José Antonio Ayllon Esteve
Email :
joseantonio.ayllon@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Juan Manuel Rios Gallardo
Francesc Xavier Muñoz Berbel
José Antonio Ayllon Esteve
Giuseppe Sciortino
Alfredo Cadarso Busto

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Students must have taken Thermodynamics and Kinetics and be enrolled in Transport phenomena and Surface Phenomena.

Students must have passed the security test on the virtual campus.

During the practicals, students must bring their own approved laboratory coat and safety glasses.

In addition to the usual tools for writing and annoting data, they must bring a scientific calculator and a spatula. It is strongly recommended to bring their own laptop. Consistent recording of the laboratory data, results and any incident is mandatory.

Objectives

The final objective of the course is that students reach the competences indicated in the corresponding section.


The general objectives are:
1. Apply the fundamental laws and theoretical principles acquired by the student in the courses of the subjects named in the prerequisites.
2. Familiarize students with the acquisition of data in the laboratory and its interpretation.
3. Introduce students to the knowledge of concepts and applications of physical chemistry through laboratory work.

Learning outcomes

  1. Communicate orally and in writing in one's own language.
  2. Manage the organisation and planning of tasks.
  3. Resolve problems and make decisions.
  4. Obtain information, including by digital means.
  5. Manage, analyse and synthesise information.
  6. Use IT to treat and present information.
  7. Have numerical calculation skills.
  8. Work in a team and show concern for interpersonal relations at work.
  9. Operate with a certain degree of autonomy and integrate quickly in the work setting.
  10. Reason in a critical manner
  11. Be ethically committed.
  12. Adapt to new situations.
  13. Propose creative ideas and solutions.
  14. Show initiative and an enterprising spirit.
  15. Show motivation for quality.
  16. Show sensitivity for environmental issues.
  17. Relate the fundamental principles, theories and facts of chemistry with experimental data obtained in the laboratory during the study of different physical and chemical systems.
  18. Use statistical methods to treat the results of analyses and obtain quality information.
  19. Recognise some of the different instruments and equipment used in spectrophotometric methods and analytical chromatography.
  20. Relate the characteristics of compounds with their elemental physical and chemical properties.
  21. Apply statistical methods to treat data.
  22. Apply suitable calibration methods in each case studied.
  23. Apply the acquired theoretical contents to the explanation of experimental phenomena.
  24. Critically evaluate experimental results and deduce their meaning.
  25. Design simple experiments for the study of simple chemical and physical systems.
  26. Develop the habits and skills of a laboratory.
  27. Observe the physical and chemical properties of different substances.
  28. Interpret the data from observations and measurements in the laboratory in terms of their meaning and of the theories sustaining the same.
  29. Resolve qualitative and/or quantitative problems in accordance with previously developed models.
  30. Follow standard laboratory procedures.
  31. Perform a synthetic and analytic study to determine chemical and physical properties using instructions supplied for a detailed procedure.
  32. Identify the main reagents in a laboratory and their commercial presentation.
  33. Manipulate the main reagents and dissolvents in a chemistry laboratory.
  34. Draft a laboratory logbook containing descriptions of the developed procedures, the observations made, the results obtained, the interpretation of the same and the conclusions.
  35. Use spectroscopy devices to confirm experimental results.
  36. Use the basic materials of a chemical laboratory.
  37. Handle instruments to record different types of spectrums.
  38. Evaluate the influences of variable parameters in measurement, such as concentration, temperature, pressure, dissolvent, etc.
  39. Handle laboratory instruments and materials for the determination of chemical and physical properties and the analysis of products and reagents.
  40. Use data processors to produce reports.
  41. Relate experimental data with the physical and chemical properties and/or analysis of the systems that are the object of study.
  42. Relate the result obtained with the original information, including the correct interpretation of the errors associated to the value obtained.
  43. Properly use the necessary computer tools to calculate, graphically represent and interpret the data obtained, as well as its quality.
  44. Use suitable strategies for the safe elimination of reagents.
  45. Recognise potentially dangerous reagents and dissolvents.
  46. Safely handle inflammable, toxic and/or corrosive reagents.
  47. Evaluate risks in the use of chemicals and laboratory procedures.
  48. Work safely in the laboratory while following the adequate procedure.
  49. Describe basic safety regulations.
  50. Follow safety procedures in the chemistry laboratory.
  51. Use safety equipment properly.
  52. Recognise the use of each reagent in the laboratory and take appropriate safety precautions in each case (special goggles and/or gloves, extractor hood, gas mask, etc.).
  53. Safely handle the different radiations involved in each spectroscopic technique.
  54. Safely handle the electrical circuits that form part of different spectrometers.
  55. Recognise potential risks in the laboratory before they are produced.
  56. Interpret the safety notes on chemistry products.
  57. Perform correct evaluations of the health risks and environmental impact of magnetic fields.
  58. Selectively distinguish the rejection of reagents and chemical products.
  59. Use the most common English chemistry terms.
  60. Memorise the scientific terms used in English in the field of experimental chemistry / physical chemistry.
  61. Follow standard laboratory procedures described in English.
  62. Understand the labelling of chemical reagents in English.

Contents

First, a seminar to explain the contents and methodology used in this subject will be programmed.

Afterwards, students will have to complete 12 laboratory sessions of 4 hours each, during which they will carry out a set of laboratory practices that have to be previously prepared with the guide (and other materials) published in the virtual campus.

The experiments will include advanced kinetics, electrochemistry, surface phenomena, and any other phenomena in the field of Experimental Physical Chemistry.


The laboratory session will delve into topics seen in previous theoretical subjects, but the laboratory can also be used to introduce aspects not seen before.


The following is a likely list of practices as an example, although the teaching staff in each academic year can modify them or select others.


Determinació de la concentració micel·lar critica mitjançant mesures de conductivitat.

Cinètica de mutarrotació de la glucosa.

Isoterma d'adsorció.

Influència del medi de reacció a la cinètica de decoloració del vidre violeta en medi bàsic.

Introducció a les corbes corrent-potencial.

Conductivitat de dissolucions iòniques.

Mullabilitat.

Cinètica per conductimetria. Hidròlisi bàsica dʻun èster.

Influència de la força iònica en la composició a l'equilibri.

Solvatocromisme com a eina per caracteritzar un dissolvent.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Master class 1 0.04 17
Laboratory practicals 48 1.92 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39
Reading and study of the laboratory guides, preparation of the practices in the laboratory and the writing of reports. 22 0.88 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 40, 43

Before starting the laboratory sessions, there will be a session in the lecture room to explain the rules that appear in this teaching guide, and give last minute information and the specific methodology and contents.


Attendance at the classroom session and laboratory session is mandatory. An unjustified absence results in a mark of zero for that practical.

The students, in groups of 2 students whenever possible, will perform 12 lab sessions lasting 4 hours, during which a 9-10 different practicals willl take place.

Students will have access to the laboratory guides in advance so that the can prepare for each practical. They must enter the laboratory having read the practical guide and the calculations, tables etc. prepared in the laboratory notebook.

At the begininng of each lab session, a pre-lab test will be done, individually, to evaluate the level of preparation of the session.

Students must correctly transfer all experimental results for subsequent data processing.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Results, reports and/or prelabs 70% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62
Written exam 30% 4 0.16 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 38, 41, 42, 49

The evaluation process follows the principle of continuous assessment. The overall grade will consist of the weighted sum of 2 sections: laboratory (50%) and written exam (50%).

Attendance at the initial seminar and the laboratory is mandatory. The laboratory grade will include: pre-lab tests, presentation of the results of the practices at the end of the practical session, practice reports, etc. In the laboratory presentation seminar, the concepts that will be evaluated and the corresponding weighting factors will be specified.

To pass the course, a final grade of 4.9 or higher must be achieved. If the laboratory grade is < 4.9, the course will be considered failed, and the failed laboratory grade will be recorded. The recovery of all assessment activities conducted during the laboratory sessions is not contemplated. For the written exam, a grade of 4.9 or higher must be achieved in order to average it with the laboratory grade; if the minimum grade of 4.9 is not achieved, a recovery exam will be available. If the grade from the recovery does not reach 4.9, the subject will be considered failed, and the grade from the failed exam will be recorded in the report. The final exam is the only component of the evaluation that can be recovered.


WARNING ABOUT LABORATORY SAFETY

A student may be expelled from the laboratory and fail the subject if, as a result of negligent behavior, they are involved in an incident that may have serious safety consequences. In case of non-compliance with safety regulations, the students may be expelled from the laboratory and fail the practice of that day.


IRREGULARITIES IN EVALUATION TESTS

The commission of any irregularity in an assessment act (academic fraud, plagiarism or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the teaching guide), which may lead to a significant variation in the grade, means that this act will be graded with a 0. In the event that the teaching guide provides that in order to pass the subject it is an essential requirement to have obtained a minimum grade in this assessment act or that several irregularities occur in the assessment acts of the same subject, the final grade for this subject is 0. Apart from this, a disciplinary process may be initiated against the student who incurs any of these irregularities.

In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.


This subject does not provide for the single assessment system.


Bibliography

P.W. Atkins & J. de Paula, Atkins ' Physical Chemistry., ª ed. Oxford University Press, 2009.
(Spanish translation of the 8th Ed, Ed. Panamericana, 2008)

Available online at:

https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/avjcib/alma991009090709706709 


In addition, the handsout of each practice, published in the virtual campus, will include a specific bibliography section

Software

This subject requiries using software (which can be free) that allows doing data treatment in the form of plots and linear regressions.

 

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 1 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 2 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 2 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 2 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 3 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 3 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 4 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 4 Catalan second semester afternoon