Skip to content

University of Manchester — Patrick J O'Malley, D.Sc

Introduction to Physical Chemistry

Explore Manchester’s physical chemistry course on thermodynamics, reaction kinetics and quantum chemistry, with virtual laboratory exercises.

PaidMixed10+ hoursEnglishCertificateChemistry
Go to course

Opens on the provider’s site. Check current access and certificate terms there.

Course overview

Manchester connects three ways of investigating chemical behavior: energy changes, reaction rates and quantum descriptions. Virtual laboratories accompany the theory, including particle-in-a-box and hydrogen-emission exercises. It suits learners who want a structured bridge between explanations and calculations, with enough time to revisit the mathematics behind an unfamiliar result.

What you will learn

  • Explore thermodynamic laws and equilibrium.
  • Analyze reaction rates and kinetic models.
  • Connect quantum models with atomic behavior.

Who this suits

Learners interested in physical chemistry and prepared to work through quantitative material; the provider assigns a mixed level.

Before you enroll

Use the lessons for conceptual study and problem solving. Chemical demonstrations do not make an activity suitable for an unsupervised home experiment. Check the assumed mathematics and chemistry background, show units in calculations and compare your reasoning with worked solutions rather than memorizing an answer.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Compare two hypothetical reactions with different rates and energy changes. Explain which question thermodynamics answers and which requires a kinetic model.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on . It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

How YellowCourse describes and checks learning resources.

At a glance

Provider
Coursera
Learning format
Course
Price
Paid
Level
Mixed levels
Study time (approx.)
10+ hours
Language
English
Certificate
Available; check provider terms
Created by
University of Manchester — Patrick J O'Malley, D.Sc
Category
Chemistry
Subject
Science
Page updated
12 Oct 2026