CHEM 212 :: Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter

Week 1

8-Jan-24

Welcome to CHEM 212! Complete reading assignments for the term (with tentative coverage dates), introductory lecture slides (Introduction), and draft course syllabus posted.

9-Jan-24

The tutorial hour this week (Thu, 11 Jan, 11:30am-12:20pm) will be used as class lecture time. Tutorials and tutorial quizzes will begin next week.

9-Jan-24

Week 1 lecture notes (Atoms, part 1) posted.

9-Jan-24

Lost item! A student may have lost a bracelet in our classroom (DWE 1501) today (Thu, 9 Jan). If you find this item, please contact Prof. Lee.

Week 2

14-Jan-24

Week 2 lecture notes (Atoms, part 2) posted.

15-Jan-24

The first tutorial will take place this week (Thu, 18 Jan, 11:30am-12:20pm, RCH 103). The tutorial topics and questions are being finalized and will be posted shortly.

Students eligible for AccessAbility accommodations may elect to sit the quiz in-class without accommodation or with AccessAbility Services (AAS) for accommodation. For the latter option, please book the weekly quiz for the entire term with AAS as soon as possible and cancel a specific booking if there is no quiz that week; schedule the AAS-administered quiz to begin at 12:20pm to allow transit time to the AAS exam facility from the tutorial session.

15-Jan-24

The first tutorial (Thu, 18 Jan, 11:30am-12:20pm, RCH 103) will analyze periodic properties and their physical origins. The tutorial discussion problems are posted under the Assignments link; please read and attempt these problems before the meeting. The tutorial quiz (10 min, held at the end of tutorial) will cover these topics.

Based on currently scheduling, the tutorial topics may cover material slightly in advance of the lectures. To assist students, the following readings are recommended by Thursday:

• MF&T (the course textbook), sections 2.2.2-2.2.4 – atomic orbitals and relevant properties
• MF&T, sections 2.3.1-2.3.2 – ionization potential and electron affinity
• MF&T, section 5.2.4 – photoelectron spectroscopy
• also see CHEM 120/121 course notes, module 2.3 – photoelectric effect, which shares similarities to photoelectron spectroscopy

Student questions are always welcome during tutorial.

15-Jan-24

Office hours have been posted under the Contact link, and the syllabus has been updated accordingly.

16-Jan-24

Office hours were transposed in the syllabus; the error has been corrected, and the proper times are now indicated.

18-Jan-24

Week 2-3 lecture notes (Atoms, part 3) posted. Also, week 2 lecture notes (Atoms, part 2) updated to clarify variables in the derivations of the Moseley relation and photoelectron energies (slides 4 and 7).

19-Jan-24

Students eligible for exam accommodations may have been informed by AAS that the CHEM 212 instructor would be making independent arrangements to facilitate accommodated exams. THIS IS INCORRECT and arose because of an entry error on the webform setting up the exam accommodation. AAS will be responsible for accommodated exams; please verify with AAS to confirm that this is true for your specific case.

Week 3

22-Jan-24

If you are interested, the paper discussing the XRF analysis of Tutankhamen's iron dagger and its meteoritic origin is available here.

Coincidentally, Vox posted a video on the same day as our Friday lecture telling the story of the Greenland meteorite, its use by the native Inuit, and the mistreatment of these people by American explorers. If you are interested, you can view the video here.

22-Jan-24

This week's tutorial (Thu, 25 Jan, 11:30am-12:20pm, RCH 103) will discuss atomic orbital wave functions, as well as continue the analysis of periodic properties. The tutorial discussion problems are posted under the Assignments link; please read and attempt these problems before the meeting. The tutorial quiz (10 min, held at the end of tutorial) will cover these topics.

To assist students, the following readings are recommended by Thursday:

• MF&T (the course textbook), sections 2.2.2 – quantum numbers and atomic wave functions
• also see CHEM 120/121 course notes, module 2.8 – graphical representations of hydrogen atom wave functions

Student questions are always welcome during tutorial.

22-Jan-24

Problem set 1 (due Mon, 29 Jan) posted on Crowdmark.

23-Jan-24

Problem set 1 updated to correct a typo in question 3. You may need to clear your browser cache (by refreshing the Crowdmark page and/or re-downloading the PDF) to view the revised problem set.

23-Jan-24

Week 3-4 lecture notes (Atoms, part 4) posted.

25-Jan-24

Found item! A keyset was found in the classroom (RCH 103) after the tutorial today. If this item belongs to you, please contact Prof. Lee with a description of the keyset to arrange for pickup. If no one retrieves this item by tomorrow AM, the keys will be turned over to the University lost and found. Item returned!

Week 4

28-Jan-24

Lecture notes (Lewis, VSEPR structures) posted for weeks 4-5.

29–Jan-24

This week's tutorial (Thu, 1 Feb, 11:30am-12:20pm, RCH 103) will discuss Lewis structures and the VSEPR model. The tutorial problems are posted under the Assignments link; please read and attempt the problems before the meeting. The tutorial quiz (10 min, held at the end of tutorial) will cover these topics.

Based on currently scheduling, the tutorial topics may cover material slightly in advance of the lectures; this subject matter, however, has been previously treated in CHEM 120/121. To assist students, the following readings are recommended by Thursday:

• MF&T (the course textbook), section 3.1 – Lewis electron-dot diagrams
• MF&T (the course textbook), sections 3.2.1-3.2.2 – VSEPR
• also see CHEM 120/121 course notes, module 4 – introduction to chemical bonding

Student questions are always welcome during tutorial.

29-Jan-24

Following a student discussion this afternoon, question 2 of problem set 1 has been updated to provide a sign-correct thermodynamic expression for the IP relation used for part (d). You may need to clear your browser cache (by refreshing the Crowdmark page and/or re-downloading the PDF) to view the revised problem set.

30-Jan-24

Problem set 2 (due Mon, 5 Feb) posted on Crowdmark. Answer key for problem set 1 posted.

30-Jan-24

A student correctly identified two element typos in the answer to question 1 on problem set 1. The answer key has been updated to fix the errors.

31-Jan-24

Following a student query, question 1 of problem set 2 has been re-worded slightly for clarity.You may need to clear your browser cache (by refreshing the Crowdmark page and/or re-downloading the PDF) to view the revised problem set.

2-Feb-24

Classroom audio is being recorded on the direction of AccessAbility Services. If you have any concerns or objections to classroom recording, please contact Prof. Lee.

Week 5

6-Feb-24

Problem set 3 (due Tue, 13 Feb) posted on Crowdmark; note the later (Tue) due date. Answer key for problem set 2 posted.

6-Feb-24

SCHEDULE CHANGE!!! To optimize topic coverage prior to the upcoming term test, the next tutorial and quiz will be held during the class period next Mon (12 Feb, 1:30-2:20pm, DWE 1501). The tutorial time this Thu and next Thu (8 and 15 Feb, 11:30am-12:20am, RCH 103) will be used for lecture. This tutorial and quiz will cover valence bond theory; the associated tutorial problems will be posted shortly.

Summary of course schedule through 16 Feb (meetings will occur at the locations normally booked for the days indicated):

• Wed, 7 Feb, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture
• Thu, 8 Feb, 11:30am-12:20pm – lecture
• Fri, 9 Feb, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture
• Mon, 12 Feb, 1:30-12:20pm – tutorial and quiz
• Wed, 14 Feb, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture
• Thu, 15 Feb, 11:30am-12:20pm – lecture
• Fri, 16 Feb, 1:30-2:20pm – term test 1

6-Feb-24

Lecture notes (VB theory) posted for weeks 5-6.

7-Feb-24

The answer key to problem set 2 has been updated to fix a typo (incorrect element) in the answer to question 4(c).

8-Feb-24

The next tutorial (Mon, 12 Feb, 1:30-2:20pm, DWE 1501) will discuss valence bond theory. The tutorial discussion problems are posted under the Assignments link; please read and attempt these problems before the meeting. The tutorial quiz (10 min, held at the end of tutorial) will cover these topics.

This will be the first tutorial that covers entirely new subject matter. Lecture coverage, however, should be complete for the tutorial material before the tutorial date. Valence bond theory is treated only briefly in the course textbook; for this reason, additional reading material from Huheey, Keiter, and Keiter (on reserve in Davis Library) is recommended as the reading assignment before tutorial.

Student questions are always welcome during tutorial.

9-Feb-24

Please bring a scientific calculator to the tutorial on Mon, 12 Feb.

9-Feb-24

Lecture notes (VB theory) updated to include the influence of hybridization on inductive effects (slide 8).

9-Feb-24

The first term test will be held during the class hour on Fri, 16 Feb, from 1:30-2:20pm (50 min total exam time).

Note the following administrative information:

1. 1To permit spaced seating, students with last names starting with A through K will sit the exam in DWE 1501 (the normal lecture room), and students with last names starting with L through Z will sit the exam in STC 0020.
2. The term test will cover all course material up to, and including, the valence bond theory lecture notes to slide 8, associated lectures and tutorials through Mon, 12 Feb, and problem set 3.
3. Bring a pencil or pen, a calculator, and your student ID; a periodic table and important formulae/data will be provided as a reference sheet. Answers will be written on exam sheets that will be provided. No external reference materials are allowed.
4. Exam question formats are similar to those of certain assignment and tutorial problems, adjusted for the 50 minute exam time. Read exam questions carefully and consider all questions before choosing which ones to answer first. Be concise and accurate in your responses; no answer on this exam requires a lengthy essay. Answers are evaluated for understanding, so marks will be deducted for incorrect statements; negative marks are not possible, but incorrect statements will count against correct statements in the same answer.

To assist students with exam preparation, TA Hamilton will extend his office hours on Thu, 15 Feb, from 12:30-2:30pm in C2 285. Prof. Lee will also hold an office hour on Thu, 15 Feb, from 4:30-5:30pm in C2 382 in addition to his normally scheduled office hour on Tue. Prof. Lee and TA Hamilton are also available by appointment if there are scheduling conflicts with the posted office hours.

Remember to monitor this website for further exam-related announcements!

Week 6

12-Feb-24

To assist students preparing for the upcoming exam, the Biochem Student Association has arranged for a question-and-answer session with Prof. Lee (first hour) and TA Hamilton (second hour) on Wed, 14 Feb, 6-8pm, in QNC 2502. This session is in addition to the extended office hours posted on 9 Feb.

12-Feb-24

The answer key to problem set 2 has been updated to replace an incorrect reference in the answer to question 3(b).

14–Feb-24

Answer key for problem set 3 posted.

14-Feb-24

New lecture notes (symmetry and point groups) posted.

Note that interactive molecular graphics for molecules discussed in lecture or on the problem sets are available via the structures link. Instructions for running the JSmol applet are available there.

17-Feb-24

The answer key to problem set 3 has been updated to replace an incorrect atom label in the answer to question 3(f).

19-Feb-24

Normally scheduled office hours are cancelled for break week (19-23 Feb).

Week 7

26–Feb-24

Marked term tests will be available for pickup on Tue, 27 Feb, 11:30am–1pm, C2 382 (extended office hours for Prof. Lee), and on Wed, 28 Feb, 10:30-11:30am, C2 381 (TA Hamilton, exam return only). An exam can only be returned to the writer of that exam and not to a third party. In case of a re-grade request, DO NOT write on the original exam copy!

Exam questions and results will be briefly reviewed during the second half of lecture on Wed, 28 Feb, so bring your exam for comparison. If you have questions regarding the marking of the exam, contact Prof. Lee with a description of the marking issue. Efforts were made to propagate errors from incorrect answers to later exam questions to allow students to demonstrate understanding of the material. If you wish to request a re-grade, you must contact Prof. Lee by the end of lecture on Mon, 4 Mar. For a re-grade request, attach a separate note describing the nature of the grading error and return the UNALTERED exam to Prof. Lee for re-marking; DO NOT write on the original exam copy. We reserve the right to review the entire exam if it is submitted for re-grading.

Prof. Lee is available to discuss exam results and course status during office hours or by appointment. .

26–Feb-24

SCHEDULE CHANGE!!! To adjust for the exam review during Wed lecture, the next tutorial and quiz will be held during the class period on Fri (1 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm, DWE 1501). The tutorial time this Thu (29 Feb, 11:30am-12:20am, RCH 103) will be used for lecture.

This week's tutorial (Fri, 1 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm, DWE 1501) will cover symmetry operation/element identification and point group assignment. Symmetry and its group theoretical treatment provide the foundations for the molecular orbital descriptions to be discussed in the next few weeks, so it is important to get a good understanding of these subjects now. The tutorial problems are posted under the Assignments link; please attempt the problems before the tutorial. Student questions are always welcome.

To assist students, the following readings are strongly recommended by Friday:

• MF&T (the course textbook), sections 4.1-4.2 – symmetry elements and point groups

26-Feb-24

Problem set 4 (due Mon, 4 Mar) has been posted on Crowdmark. Molecular structures for problem set 4, question 1, are available for computer display via the JSMol applet in the Structures link.

Week 8

5-Mar-24

Problem set 5 (due Mon, 11 Mar) posted on Crowdmark. Molecular structures for problem set 5 are available for computer display via the JSMol applet in the Structures link.

Answer key for problem set 4 posted.

5-Mar-24

New lecture notes (group theory and character tables) posted.

5-Mar-24

SCHEDULE CHANGE!!! To optimize topic coverage prior to the next term test, the next tutorial and quiz will be held during the class period next Mon (11 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm, DWE 1501). The tutorial time this Thu and next Thu (7 and 14 Feb, 11:30am-12:20am, RCH 103) will be used for lecture. This tutorial and quiz will cover group theory and will be the last tutorial before the second term test; the associated tutorial problems will be posted shortly.

Summary of course schedule through 18 Mar (meetings will occur at the locations normally booked for the days indicated):

• Wed, 6 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture
• Thu, 7 Mar, 11:30am-12:20pm – lecture
• Fri, 8 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture
• Mon, 11 Mar, 1:30-12:20pm – tutorial and quiz
• Wed, 13 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture
• Thu, 14 Mar, 11:30am-12:20pm – lecture
• Fri, 15 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture
• Mon, 18 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm – term test 2

5-Mar-24

The next tutorial and quiz will (Mon, 11 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm, DWE 1501) will cover symmetry, group theory, and character tables. The tutorial problems are posted under the Assignments link; please attempt the problems before the tutorial. Student questions are always welcome. The lectures should cover all material to be discussed by the tutorial meeting. For relevant background, consult the following textbook reading:

• MF&T (the course textbook), section 4.3 – group theory: properties and usage
• Course notes 8 - group theory and character tables
• Problem set 5
• More detailed discussions of this material can be found in the subject-specific textbooks available in the CHEM 212 course textbook reserves.

8-Mar-24

To assist students with parts of the current problem set and upcoming tutorial on Mon, 11 Mar, a short supplemental video (ca. 20 min) covering character tables has been posted on the Learn CHEM 212 site as Content > Symmetry and Group Theory > Character Tables. This video covers the same classroom lecture material given on Fri, 8 Mar, but also includes the discussion of basis functions (starting at the 12:55 min mark) that we did not reach today; we will go over this material at Wed (13 Mar) lecture.

8-Mar-24

The answer key to problem set 4 has been updated to fix a typo in the answer to question 4(f).

Week 9

11-Mar-24

New lecture notes (molecular orbital theory: diatomics) posted.

11-Mar-24

Due to conflicts with exams in other courses, the due date for problem set 5 is extended by one day to Tue, 12 Mar.

12-Mar-24

To assist students with exam preparation, extra office hours have been scheduled for TA Hamilton on Fri, 15 Mar, from 2:30-3:30pm in C2 361, and for Prof. Lee on Sun, 17 Mar, from 1:00-2:00pm in C2 382, in addition to normally scheduled office hours. Prof. Lee and TA Hamilton are also available by appointment if there are scheduling conflicts with the posted office hours.

13-Mar-24

Answer key for problem set 5 posted.

13-Mar-24

Quiz 6 (character tables) has been marked and is available for pickup from TA Hamilton during his scheduled office hours this week (Thu, 14 Mar, 12:30-1:30pm, C2 285, and Fri, 2:30-3:30pm, C2 361).

A brief discussion of the quiz solution has been posted as a video on the Learn CHEM 212 site under Content > Symmetry and Group Theory > Quiz 6 Solution.

14-Mar-24

The second term test will be held during the class hour on Mon, 18 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm (50 min total exam time).

Note the following administrative information:

1. To permit spaced seating, students with last names starting with A through K will sit the exam in DWE 1501 (the normal lecture room), and students with last names starting with L through Z will sit the exam in HH 1101.
2. The second term test will cover all course material through introductory diatomic molecular orbital theory (up to, and including, the lecture on Thu, 14 Mar, lecture notes 9 to slide 9, problem set 5, and tutorial 6 on Mon, 11 Mar). This second term test will focus on the new material delivered after the first term test, but familiarity with prior material is essential background and will be assumed.
3. The exam format will be similar to that of the first term test. Consult earlier announcements regarding the first term test for guidelines, conditions, and suggestions. Student-supplied molecular model kits and calculators will be permitted on this exam, in addition to an exam-supplied reference sheet.
4. Additional pre-exam office hours on Fri and Sun (15 and 17 Mar) have been announced previously.
5. We will endeavor to have the term tests marked and returned before the WD deadline on Fri, 22 Mar.

Remember to monitor this website for any further exam-related announcements!

15-Mar-24

In addition to the assigned textbook sections on diatomic molecular orbital theory, additional basic background material on bonding theory (VB and MO) can be found in module 5 of the CHEM 120/121 notes; sections 5.6-5.7 specifically discuss diatomic MO theory.

Week 10

18-Mar-24

Because of the term test on Mon, Prof. Lee's normal office hour (Tue, 11:30am-12:30pm) is cancelled this week.

19–Mar-24

The second term tests have been marked and will be returned to students toward the last half-hour of the lecture period on Wed (20 Mar, ca. 2:00pm, DWE 1501); exam answers and results will be briefly reviewed at this time. Note that an exam can only be returned to the writer of that exam and not to a third party.

Prof. Lee will be available by appointment to discuss exam results and course status prior to the Registrar's WD deadline on Fri, 22 Mar.

If you have questions regarding the marking of the exam, contact Prof. Lee with a description of the marking issue. Efforts were made to propagate errors from incorrect answers to later exam questions to allow students to demonstrate understanding of the material. If you wish to request a re-grade, you must contact Prof. Lee by the end of lecture on Wed, 27 Mar. For a re-grade request, attach a separate note describing the nature of the grading error and return the exam to Prof. Lee for re-marking; do NOT write on the original exam copy. We reserve the right to review the entire exam if it is submitted for re-grading.

19-Mar-24

SCHEDULE CHANGE!!! Because of the term test this past Mon and the exam review on Wed, the tutorial time this Thu (21 Mar, 11:30am-12:20am, RCH 103) will be used for lecture.

Summary of course schedule through 22 Mar (meetings will occur at the locations normally booked for the days indicated):

• Wed, 20 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture and exam review
• Thu, 21 Mar, 11:30am-12:20pm – lecture
• Fri, 22 Mar, 1:30-2:20pm – lecture