SluitenHelpPrint
Switch to English
Cursus: GEO4-1426
GEO4-1426
Kinetic processes
Cursus informatie
CursuscodeGEO4-1426
Studiepunten (EC)7,5
Cursusdoelen

Inhoud
Content
A. Rates of geochemical reactions. Rate equations, reaction mechanisms, steady state, Arrhenius equation, principle of detailed balancing, heterogeneous kinetics, geochemical examples.
B. Theory of chemical kinetics I. Collision theory, diffusion controlled reactions in solution, partial diffusion control, potential energy surfaces, molecular vibrations, statistical thermodynamics, partition functions.
C. Theory of chemical kinetics II. Transition state theory (TST), statistical mechanical and thermodynamic interpretations of rate constants, ionic strength effects, linear free energy relationships, geochemical examples of TST applications.
D. Fluid-rock interactions. Rate equations for mineral dissolution and growth, surface complexation theory, chemo-mechanical processes in sedimentary rocks.
E. Redox kinetics. Inner- and outer-sphere electron transfer, Marcus theory, reductive mineral dissolution, microbial redox processes.

Aims
This course covers fundamental principles of geochemical kinetics, from the atomistic treatment of reaction rates and mechanisms to the quantitative description of chemical dynamics of natural systems.

By the end of the course, the student will ....
- Be familiar with the present theories of chemical kinetics;
- Have learned about various applications of chemical kinetics concepts to problems related  to Earth Science;
- Be able to derive quantitative expressions for describing the rates of biogeochemical processes;
- Have studied during the course critically current literature on geochemical processes;
- Have advanced their skills of presenting new concepts to other students;
- Have improved ther group skills.

SluitenHelpPrint
Switch to English