Atoms and Ions:
Atoms, atomic structure, electrons in atoms and quantum mechanics, the hydrogen atom, quantum numbers, hydrogen-like atoms, many electron atoms, shells sub-shells and orbitals, ionisation energies, electron affinities, the periodic table, atomic ions.

The States of Matter:
The gaseous state, the gas laws, real and ideal gases, the liquid state, the solid state, solids of metals, ionic solids, covalent solids.

Molecules and Bonding:
Bonds between atoms, the covalent bond, VSEPR theory, molecular orbital theory, first row homonuclear diatomic molecules, bonding and antibonding orbitals, sigma and pi bonds, second row homonuclear diatomics,heteronuclear orbitals, hybrid orbitals, molecular structure and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Chemical Energetics:
Enthalpy and chemical reactions, Hess' Law, standard enthalpy changes of formation: ΔHf for allotropes (a look at phase diagrams for a pure substance), bond enthalpies, ΔHf and reactivity, entropy changes, enthalpy changes vs. entropy changes and the free energy change, dissolution of enthalpies and lattice energies.

Chemical Kinetics:
Reaction pathways, intermediates and transition states, quantifying the rate of a chemical reaction, determination of rate laws, mechanisms of chemical reactions, reactions in solution, gas phase reactions, Lindemann mechanism, the temperature dependence of reaction rates, collision theory, the Arrhenius equation, catalysis.

Chemical Equilibria:
The equilibrium state, predicting the equilibrium state, the equilibrium composition, factors influencing the magnitude of equilibrium constants, Le Chatalier's principle, equilibrium constants for gas solid reactions.

Special Equilibria:
Acid-base equilibria, pH and pKa buffer solutions, pKw, sparingly soluble salts, the common ion effect, predicting precipitation, redox equilibria, use of electrochemical cells in the study of redox equilibria, use of electrochemistry in the study of ionic solution equilibria, the liquid-vapour equilibrium of a pure compound (another look at phase diagrams), the liquid vapour equilibrium of a binary solution, Raoult's Law, vapour pressure lowering, determination of acid dissociation constants from vapour pressure lowering, vapour pressure of ionic solutions, ideal dilute solutions, Henry's law.

Essential: Lawrence C.P., Rodger A. & Compton R.G., Foundations of Physical Chemistry, Oxford University Press (Used as course notes).

Lawrence N., Wadhawan J. & Compton R. Foundations of Physical Chemistry: Worked Examples, Oxford University Press.

Atkins P.W., The Elements of Physical Chemistry, Oxford University Press.