Course Identification

Basic knowledge in chemistry (course of Chemistry of Elements is strongly recommended but not mandatory). Undergrad level of physics and basic knowledge in calculus are helpful. Understanding of basic thermodynamics is necessary.

Common sense is useful but not mandatory. Healthy curiosity is strongly advisable.

Attending tutorials and submitting home assignments is strongly advisable but not mandatory.

The course presents basics of Materials Science from the point of view of a chemist and, thereby, somewhat different from the commonly delivered courses. The main theme is the connection between the chemical bonding the observable properties.   

The exercises are adjusted accordingly.

1. Bonding in solids; Bond types, strengths, energies and directionality; electron (de)localization; Bonding in molecules, bonding between molecules, supramolecular bonding, non-molecular bonding.
2. Structural Chemistry of extended solids; Packing arrangements; radii; Coordination polyhedra; Some descriptive chemistry; Some structural classes of solids.
3. Structure of Materials; Order and Periodicity; Lattice: definition, description, classification and relation to structure; Crystal structures; Reciprocal lattice, Basics of diffraction; Evald sphere; Pseudo-lattices, pseudo-crystals, material properties; Amorphous solids, glasses: covalent and metallic.
4. Defects in solids; Types of defects, equilibrium concentration of defects; Solid Solutions; Hume-Rothery Rules; Dislocations; slip systems
5. Diffusion in solids; Constitutional effects; Microscopic Mechanisms of diffusion.
6. Non-constitutional effects; Kirkendall; electromigration and effect; Einstein equation.
7. Chemical aspects of the mechanical properties of solids; Stress and strain; Basic definitions; Normal and Shear stresses; Elastic constants; Stress tensor; Young modulus; Crystal symmetry and elasticity tensor; Relations between the strength of chemical bonds and elasticity; Thermal capacitance and thermal expansion. Grüneisen constant
8. Chemical aspects of dielectric properties; Polarization; Real and imaginary parts; Clausius-Mosotty relation; Dielectric anisotropy ; Chemical origin; Dielectric relaxation; Refractive index real and imaginary parts; Reflection from surfaces. Bruster angle. Ellipsometry; Non-linear dielectrics. Kramer-Kronig theorem; Force acting on a dielectric in external electric field.
9. Optical properties of solids; Basic definitions; Reflection; Transmission;;Dielectric constant and refractive index; AC conductivity of metals; Reflectivity of metals; Plasma frequency; Oscillations of diatomic lattice and reflectivity of ionic crystals; Chemical origin of dielectric relaxation.Effective ionic charges and lattice vibration.
10. Optional: Nature of colors; Perception of colors; Physics and chemistry of color.
11. Surfaces of solids; Dangling bonds and aperiodicity; Surface reconstruction; Spontaneous roughening; Surface tension. Laplas pressure. Ostwald ripening.

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

Understand  the  connection between chemical composition/structure of solids and their "observable" properties: mechanical, dielectric, optical and thermal.

Example of a question that you should be able to answer: where does a quartz clock run faster, in London or in Tel Aviv?

1. W. D. Callister Fundamentals of materials science and engineering
2. J. I. Gersten, F. W. Smith The physics and chemistry of materials
3. A. R. West Solid State chemistry
4. A. F.Wells, Structural Inorganic Chemistry
5. Adams D.M. Inorganic solids
6. Shriver, D. F. & Duward F. Inorganic chemistry
7. Greenwood N.N. Chemistry of Elements