Main Sequence     Overview Cycle     Interdisciplinary Discussions     Verbal Reasoning     Essay

Module 6 - Thermodynamic Systems - Part One

Now that we are six modules into the course, let's take a moment to orient ourselves. So far we have made a study of force and energy among other mechanics concepts as well as waves. We have discussed the electric force in depth, which we augmented with a bit of quantum mechanics to prepare ourselves for chemistry. Taken together, these earlier discussions have given us the tools to begin to describe the events occuring within matter at the atomic and molecular level. After discussing the structure of matter in module 4, in Atomic Theory, Chemical Bonding, and Intermolecular Force, we took a preliminary tour in module 5 of Organic Chemistry. Finally, at this stage in the course, we are ready to extend our understanding to encompass the stoichiometric and thermodynamic approaches to matter and energy.

We have learned how to describe the events occurring at the micro level within matter. This module we ask the question: How do we describe changes occuring within a collection of an enormous number of particles, a laboratory scale system. This module we will apply what we have learned earlier about the micro level in matter to understand these topics from physical science (Physics and General Chemistry): Heat & Temperature, the Ideal Gas & Kinetic Theory, the 1st Law of Thermodynamics, Stoichiometry, and Thermochemistry. This module is the first of two modules devoted to Thermodynamics. Next, in module 7, we will move the discussion toward the questions of spontaneity, reversibility, and equilibrium. Coordinating our discussions of Thermodynamics to include the perspectives offered by both Physics and Chemistry will greatly improve our understanding.

Module 6 - Overview

Main Sequence - Heat and Temperature, The Ideal Gas and Kinetic Theory, The First Law of Thermodynamics, Stoichiometry, and Thermochemistry.

Overview Cycle - A retrospective cycle, reviewing the Main Sequence Topics covered in previous modules.

Interdisciplinary Discussions - An extremely important module bringing to fruition earlier work in the fundamentals of Physics and Chemistry.

Verbal Reasoning and Essay - Reading program, exercises, and writing assignment.

Module 6 - Main Sequence        { 12 - 15 hours }

In our Main Sequence study this module, we review the fundamental perspectives dealing with describing the changes that a physical or chemical system may undergo. The main questions involve describing the internal energy of a physical system and how to describe the interchange of energy between our system and its surroundings. Our Main Sequence topics from Physics this module are Heat and Temperature, The Ideal Gas and Kinetic Theory, and The First Law of Thermodynamics. Furthermore, we will be moving between Physics and General Chemistry this module, extending the discussion from pure physical systems to encompass chemical systems also. In our treatment of General Chemistry this module, we discuss the balance of matter in Stoichiometry and the balance of energy in Thermochemistry.

Heat & Temperature on the MCAT

Heat and Temperature is one of those topics where the basic knowledge often will appear in a straightforward way on the MCAT. While understanding this material is crucial to understanding what comes later in chemistry and biology, you also need to make sure to master the basics to prepare for straightforward questions on such topics as heat capacity, temperature scales, or heat transfer.

Learning Goals for Heat & Temperature

Suggested Assignments

Ideal Gas & Kinetic Theory on the MCAT

In my opinion a good understanding of Thermodynamics is one of the most important steps to an integrated conceptual understanding of science, so please pay special attention to this chapter, as well as the other topics from this module and the next. In addition the importance of the Ideal Gas and Kinetic Theory to the overall learning progression, this material will definitely appear in conceptual questions and quantitative questions on the MCAT. Generally, the writers of the MCAT are more interested in your conceptual understanding of physics and chemistry than your ability to solve number problems, so the balance with MCAT physical sciences questions leans towards conceptual questions away from quantitative questions. However, there will usually be a half dozen physics questions that require quantitative problem solving, so it is helpful to know which categories often given rise to quantitative questions, such as the Ideal Gas Law as well as portions of Kinetic Theory such as Graham's Law.

Learning Goals for Ideal Gas & Kinetic Theory

Suggested Assignments

The First Law of Thermodynamics on the MCAT

Whether an MCAT passage deals with a steam engine or a phase diagram, if an MCAT passage has a theme directly concerned with thermodynamics, there will be a question or two requiring you to reason from the 1st Law, guaranteed. And this is important for those qeustions, but it is trivial compared to the importance of understanding thermodynamics for understanding science, which will affect your performance through the entire exam. Really concentrate here. When we move through the chemistry and into biochemistry later in this course, there will be a big payoff in your conceptual understanding if you really push here.

Learning Goals for The First Law of Thermodynamics

Suggested Assignments

Stoichiometry on the MCAT

Stoichiometric problem solving is a major focus during the first semester of General Chemistry, and many students get the impression of chemistry as an endless variation on plugging and chugging grams and moles, so much so, in my opinion, that their conceptual understanding of chemistry can suffer. Although this type of problem solving is relatively minor on the MCAT (MCAT physical science questions are much more likely to involve conceptual reasoning than number crunching), there will be enough stoichiometric terminology to prevent you from achieving a superior score if you neglect it. You must understand stoichiometric nomenclature and have the basics of stoichiometric problem solving in hand for the MCAT.

Learning Goals for Stoichiometry

Suggested Assignments

Thermochemistry on the MCAT

The sequence of thermochemical reasoning is one of the primary conceptual arcs underlying the understanding of chemistry, so while there may only be a couple of questions that lead to an 'enthalpy change' as an answer, your thermochemical understanding will be in operation throughout the exam. When you learn to see the substances involved in a chemical reaction as a thermodynamic system, you can see any chemical process as a transformation through which internal energy may change, thermodynamic work may be performed, and heat may be evolved or absorbed. Over the next few modules, after we begin making the connections between Thermochemistry and Chemical Thermodynamics, I hope you will concentrate now to have a deeper understanding of spontaneity and chemical equilibrium later.

Learning Goals for Thermochemistry

Suggested Assignments

Module 6 - Overview Cycles        { 3 - 5 hours }

Keeping a knowledge base fresh and well organized is an important component to the art of learning a large body of material. As you maximize acquisition, growing your knowledge base each module, you must also minimize loss. To help you in this challenge, in our Overview Cycles, approximately every six modules, we will make a practice of going back and reviewing the material covered in earlier modules.

In the learning program we have covered (read slowly and think) Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Work Power & Energy, Momentum & Impulse, Rotation, Harmonic Motion, Elasticity, Fluid Mechanics, Gravitational Force, Electric Force, Atomic Theory, Periodic Properties, Chemical Bonding, Intermolecular Force, Organic Functional Groups, Conformations of Organic Compounds, Stereochemistry, Heat & Temperature, Ideal Gas & Kinetic Theory, The First Law of Thermodynamics, Chemical Stoichiometry, and Thermochemistry. One important way to keep yourself oriented is to place yourself within the larger conceptual arc of each of the disciplines as well as the Main Sequence of the course:

Your Progress through the Sciences

As you make your way through the spiraling curriculum of this learning program, it is crucially important that you keep your knowledge grounded in the traditional organization of science. You are building a dialogue between concepts from within their traditional order to achieve an integrated, interdisciplinary understanding. Let us take a moment and step back to see how far we have come in the individual sciences, now that we have finished Module 6 in our Main Sequence.

In Physics, you have covered the concepts of Mechanics, Waves, Gravitation, a portion of Thermodynamics, and the Electrostatic Force. Electricity will appear again later in the Main Sequence, being the only Main Sequence topic that appears twice.

MECHANICS Kinematics Newton's Laws Work, Energy, and Power Momentum and Impulse Rotation Harmonic Motion Elastic Properties of Solids Fluid Mechanics WAVES Waves GRAVITATION Gravitation THERMODYNAMICS Temperature and Heat Flow The Ideal Gas and Kinetic Theory The First Law of Thermodynamics The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM Electricity DC Current Magnetism Electomagnetic Induction AC Current LIGHT & OPTICS The Properties of Light Geometric Optics Wave Optics MODERN PHYSICS & NUCLEAR PHYSICS Modern Physics Nuclear Physics Yellow indicates the topics we have covered so far. Frequently step back and think about the stucture of the scientific disciplines and assess the quality of your knowledge base in that light. Make sure you can reproduce these outlines!

In General Chemistry, so far in the course you have covered the topics dealing with the fundamental structure of matter: Atomic Theory, Periodic Properties, Chemical Bonding, and Intermolecular Force, and we have begun to make progress in our understanding of how to describe change in chemical systems in our coverage of Stoichiometry and Thermochemistry.

THE STRUCTURE OF MATTER Atomic Theory Periodic Properties The Chemical Bond Intermolecular Forces STOICHIOMETRY Stoichiometry CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS AND CHEMICAL KINETICS Thermochemistry The States of Matter Chemical Thermodynamics and the Equilibrium State Chemical Kinetics SOLUTIONS AND AQUEOUS SYSTEMS Water Solutions Acids and Bases OXIDATION REDUCTION AND ELECTROCHEMISTRY Oxidation/Reduction Electrochemistry COORDINATION CHEMISTRY Coordination Chemistry

So far, we have not reached far into Organic and Biology. We have taken a tour of the Organic Functional Groups and reviewed Conformations of Organic Molecules and Stereochemistry.

ORGANIC REACTION CHEMISTRY Reactions of Alkanes Reactions of Alkenes Reactions of Alkynes Reactions of Alkyl Halides Reactions of Allylic and Benzylic Conjugation Reactions of Aromatic Compounds Reactions of Alcohols and Ethers Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones Reactions of Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives Reactions of Amines Reactions of Organic Phosphorus Compounds Reactions of Organic Sulfur Compounds ORGANIC CHEMISTRY CONCEPTS Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry Conformations of Organic Molecules Stereochemistry The Physical Properties of Organic Compounds Organic Acids and Bases Nucleophiles and Electrophiles Intramolecular Cationic Rearrangements Reactions with Radical Intermediates Conjugated π Systems and Aromaticity Oxidation/Reduction in Organic Chemistry Molecular Spectroscopy

Even though we haven't begun this yeat, do pause and read over the outline of Biology. Think about how Biology is organized.

BIOMOLECULES Proteins Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids Lipids THE CELL Biological Membranes The Prokaryotic Cell The Eukaryotic Cell BIOENERGETICS AND BIOSYNTHESIS Bioenergetics and Cellular Respiration Photosynthesis Biosynthesis of Macromolecules Integration of Metabolism GENETICS & REPRODUCTION Gene Expression Cellular Reproduction Mendelian Genetics Recombination and Mutation The Molecular Biology Laboratory Human Genetics DIVERSITY OF LIFE Viruses Monera Protista Fungi Plants Animals Animal Development and Embryology Mammalian Tissues and Histology HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY The Nervous System Sensory Systems The Endocrine System The Musculoskeletal System The Cardiovascular System Blood The Respiratory System The Lymphatic System and Immunity The Urinary System The Digestive System and Nutrition The Reproductive System EVOLUTION AND ECOLOGY Populations Evolution Ecology

Your Progress through the Main Sequence

Let us now take a moment and step back to see our progress in the context of the conceptual arc of the Main Sequence. We are taking the fundamentals of Physics and building our understanding of General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry from them. This puts us on a trajectory towards Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

Overview Cycle - Learning Goals

Assignment