Lab Packet for Chem 457 Experimental Physical Chemistry

Lab Packet for Chemistry 457, a senior physical chemistry laboratory course at the Pennsylvania State University. It is taught by Dr. Bratoljub H. Milosavljevic, whose expertise is photochemistry and photophysics. Specifically, he studies photon-induced and photon-emitting reactions as well as kinetics of short-lived reactions. The purpose of the lab packet is to teach student about experiments done in different fields of physical chemistry, such as thermodynamics, kinetics, and electrochemistry. By the end of the class, students should be able to understand the functions of the equipment used, the procedures, and the overall goals of the experiment. They will know how to calculate rate constants, thermodynamics constants, and concentrations, and to use statistics to calculate the associated uncertainties (one of the biggest challenges of the whole course). After conducting the experiments, students are expected to be able to interpret the data and to write a formal report on each experiment given.