CM2133 - Foundations of Physical Chemistry

Academic Year 25/26 - Semester 1

Assessments:​

Quizzes: 40%

Assignments: 20%

Final Exam: 40%

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Lecturer: A/P Kang (Thermodynamics), Asst. Prof Liviu(Quantum)​

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No. of responses : 5

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REVIEWS

What advice would you give to someone considering to take this course?

 

Anonymous: Very important to review lectures regularly as the content is quite hard to grasp. Don't leave it till the last minute to cram. Watching youtube videos can help in your understanding, reading the recommended textbooks regularly may help but could take up a lot of time if cramming for tests/finals.

 

periodically.j: The MIT lectures for the thermodynamics on youtube really helped to support the lectures cos some parts are hard to understand.

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Anonymous: Have a strong foundation in math and be consistent in practicing.

 

Anonymous: I would advice someone that take CM2133 to be familiar with CM1102, so revision beforehand would help. Attending lectures and rewatching would definitely help greatly in understanding the concept from early on and grasp the later concept, coming from someone who does not go lectures often and having to rewatch the lectures a lot of times. Personally, I think going to tutorials helped me a lot. Clarifying questions and listened to Yee Hong's explaining helped me form a structured train of thought later on when solving a problem. I also really recommend watching Youtube video on your own to clarify your doubts. However, I do not recommend overloading with this module, as it takes times to revise and practise the papers.

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Anonymous: Be prepared for this mod is tough.
 

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What did you enjoy or find most useful from this course?

 

Anonymous: Homework assignments for both quantum mechanics and thermodynamics were useful in improving my understanding of the concepts.

 

periodically.j: The tutorial questions really helped because there isn't much practice given within the lectures so it'll help with understanding what could come out in the exams.

 

Anonymous: Tutorials help to prepare students but more practice might be needed.

 

Anonymous: I think the most useful concept from 33 was learning the foundation of physical chemistry like energy quantisation and chemical equilibrium.

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Anonymous: The quantum concepts taught in CM1102 is further developed upon in this mod.

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What aspects of the course did you find most challenging, and why?

 

Anonymous: Understanding the concepts. Other than particle wave duality for quantum mechanics and thermodynamic processes in PV diagrams, many new concepts not learnt in Alevel physics. The thermodynamics slides were especially difficult to understand due to minimal explanation (mostly equations and examples).

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periodically.j: Thermo was much more difficult than the quantum part, because the contents felt all over the place although that's how it would normally be taught.

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Anonymous: Heavy content due to the nature of the module.

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Anonymous: Thermo was challenging as it requires you to actually understand how different concepts link together, and the application of it. You have to do questions regularly to familiarise yourself with a concept, just for it to get harder.

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Anonymous: Thermodynamics. Its a new concept and quite physic heavy for those who are only looking for chemistry only.
 

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What resources did you find most helpful in helping you better understand the course material?

 

Anonymous: Youtube videos, senior's slides from previous semesters as some of the thermodynamics slides were confusing.

 

periodically.j: MIT lectures for thermo.

 

Anonymous: Having to read through lecture slides a few times can help to clarify.

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Anonymous: Youtube channels ofc! And watch different channels, one concept can be taught by different professionals and different people absorb information differently.
 

Anonymous: For quantum, practice the ex and hw qns. For thermody, if u dont understand anyth, best is to clear ur doubts with the TA immediately. Else, it'll snowball.
 

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What other courses do you think should be taken before or concurrently with this course?

 

Anonymous: One of the following: CM2112/CM2143/none. It is the hardest cm2k course, so it's better to take a course with lower workload (have not taken CM2122, so not sure about that course).

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periodically.j: CM2143 for the workload balance.

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Anonymous: CM2143 concurrently to fit timetable
 

Anonymous: U can take with any. Concepts r unique on its own.