| CODE | CHE1240 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Chemistry | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Contents: Section 1: Introduction to analytical chemistry (Tutor: GP) 1. Fundamentals of chemical analysis: ionization and dissociation, equilibrium, stability constants, pH and buffers. 2. Titrimetry: acid-base titrations, primary standards, indicators, titration curves, complex formation titrations, stability of complexes, EDTA equilibria, the effect of pH on aqueous EDTA complexes, tha Ca-EDTA complex, conditional formation constants, EDTA titration curves, water hardness, indicators for complexometric titrations. 3. Gravimetry: quantitative precipitation, precipitating reagents. 4. Quality of analytical measurements: modern terms in analytical evaluation, errors in analytical chemistry data, precision and accuracy, standard deviation for a small set of results, significant figures. 5. Metrology in analytical chemistry: measurements, quantifying errors, regression analysis, rejection of results, linear least squares, use of spreadsheet for regression analysis, limits of detection. Section 2: Introduction to radiochemistry (Tutor: ES) 1. The Atom: The structure of the atom; nucleus and electrons. Nucleons; protons, neutrons, a particles. The Periodic Table. Weighing atoms; mass spectrometry; isotopes. Separation of isotopes; chemical techniques, physical techniques. 2. Nuclear Reactions: Particles involved in nuclear reactions; protons, neutrons, electrons, b particles, positrons, Properties of particles involved in nuclear reactions. Balancing nuclear reactions. 3. Nuclear Stability: General rules for nuclear stability; magic numbers, odd/even numbers of nucleons, belt of stability. Nuclear binding energy. Energy changes during nuclear reactions. 4. Nuclear Energy: Nuclear fission reactors. Nuclear fusion reactors. Nuclear weapons. 5. Radioactivity: Detection of radioactivity; gas chambers, Geiger counters, other counters. Kinetics of radioactive decay. Dating of geological and archaeological samples. 6. Analytical Applications of Isotopes: Tracers; applications in medicine. Neutron activation analysis; neutron cross sections. Radiochemical analysis; determination of concentration of elements, determination of volumes. Recommended Texts - Cox P.A., The Elements, Oxford University Press - Kellner R (ed.)Analytical Chemistry - Approved Text to the Federation European Chemical Society Curriculum, Publ: Wiley-VCH (1998) - Prichard E (Co-ordinating Author) Quality in the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Publ: John Wiley (1997) Supplementary Reading: - Taylor B.N., Kuyatt C.E., Guidelines for evaluating and expressing the uncertainty of NIST measurement results, http://www.physics.nist.gov.Pubs/guidelines/contents.html United States Department of Commerce Technology Administration. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Technical Note 1297(1994) - Christian Gary D., Analytical Chemistry, 5th Edn (1994) - Skoog Douglas A. & West Donald M., Analytical Chemistry, 6th Edn |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | David C. Magri Emmanuel Sinagra |
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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