IGNOU MCH 013 General Physical Chemistry: Assignment, Question Papers and Study Blocks

Part of IGNOU Study Material: IGNOU Study Material 2026: How to Check Book Status and Download eSLM PDF?

MCH 013 General Physical Chemistry at a glance

MCH 013 subject name and where it sits in IGNOU MSCCHEM

MCH 013 General Physical Chemistry is a 4-credit theory course. It is listed in the course table of the IGNOU Master of Science (Chemistry) (MSCCHEM) programme. This course is placed in the First Year (First Semester) within the School of Sciences (SOS), with English as the programme medium. A 4-credit course requires 120 hours of learner study, as one IGNOU credit equals 30 hours of study.

In the same MSCCHEM term, learners study several other courses. These include MCH 011 Inorganic Chemistry – I (4 credits), MCH 012 Organic Chemistry – I (4 credits), MCH 014 Mathematics for Chemists (2 credits), and MCH 015 Biology for Chemists (2 credits). The term also includes three lab courses: MCHL 011 Chemistry Lab -I (2 credits), MCHL 012 Chemistry Lab -II (2 credits), and MCHL 013 Chemistry Lab -II (2 credits).

The whole programme: IGNOU MSCCHEM syllabus and IGNOU MSCCHEM fees, eligibility and admission.

MCH 013 syllabus: the 4 study blocks on eGyanKosh

The MCH 013 General Physical Chemistry course material is available on eGyanKosh. This theory course carries 4 credits. Block 1, “Thermodynamics and Statistical Thermodynamics,” introduces the core principles. Block 2, “Solid State and Reaction Rate Theories,” then applies these principles to the structure of solids and the speed of chemical reactions. Block 3, “Kinetics and Catalysis,” further develops the understanding of reaction rates and the role of catalysts.

The 4 blocks hold 16 units between them:

1. Block 1: Thermodynamics and Statistical Thermodynamics
   • Unit 1: Gibbs and Helmholtz’s Functions
   • Unit 2: Systems of Variable Composition
   • Unit 3: Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics-I
2. Block 2: Solid State and Reaction Rate Theories
   • Unit 4: Molecular Recognition
   • Unit 5: Cation Binding Hosts
   • Unit 6: Binding of Anions
   • Unit 7: Binding of Neutral Molecules
   • Unit 8: Theories of Unimolecular Reactions
3. Block 3: Kinetics and Catalysis
   • Unit 9: Kinetics of Reactions in Solution
   • Unit 10: Kinetics of Fast Reactions
   • Unit 11: Catalysis
   • Unit 12: Kinetics of Enzyme Reactions
4. Block 4: Electrochemistry and Transport Phenomenon
   • Unit 13: Debye Huckel Theory-I
   • Unit 14: Debye Huckel Theory-II
   • Unit 15: Transport Phenomenon-I: Diffusion and Viscosity
   • Unit 16: Transport Phenomenon-II: Thermal and Electrical (ionic) Conduction

Getting the printed books and e-books: IGNOU study material.

MCH 013 assignment: download, submission and marks

Assignment responses must be written before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026).

IGNOU posts each session’s assignment files programme by programme on its assignments page (webservices.ignou.ac.in/assignments). Assignments for the current session are put on the website for download (July 2026).

Tutor Marked Assignments for MCH 013 go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). A failed assignment must be re-submitted. Once an assignment is passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.

MCH 013 assignment questions: 1st January, 2024 to 31st December, 2024

Assignment MCH-013/TMA/2024 has 2 questions. Together they carry 20 marks. The instruction on the file: “Attempt all questions. The marks for each question are indicated against it.”

Questions as printed in IGNOU’s file: MCH 013 assignment PDF. Check the Assignments page before you write, since IGNOU replaces the file each year.

Assignment rules that apply to every IGNOU course: front page format, paper and margin rules, binding and envelope and checking assignment status.

MCH 013 question papers and the term-end exam

IGNOU posts previous term-end question papers for MCH 013 General Physical Chemistry on its Previous Question Papers page. These papers are arranged by programme and course. The term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December. For example, the December 2026 TEE has two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM.

The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course for the December 2026 TEE. Learners may write the MCH 013 exam in Hindi, even if they registered in English medium, as per the December 2026 TEE rules. Examination centres are available across the country and abroad for the July 2026 session.

Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible. A copy of the answer script costs Rs. 100 per course as of January 2026. For Indian students, an early declaration of result is available for Rs. 1000 per course, provided there is proof of selection for a post or further studies, as per January 2026 rules.

MCH 013 previous year question papers

The last 3 term-end papers on IGNOU’s question paper site:

MCH 013 exam pattern

The June 2026 paper runs 2 hours and carries 50 marks. The instruction at the top reads: “(i) Question No. 1 is compulsory. (ii) Attempt any four questions from Question Nos. 2 to 7. (iii) Use the following values wherever required :    23 –1 B.”

MCH 013 topics asked in more than one exam

Read across the 3 papers, these subjects came back:

How the questions in these papers spread over the blocks (19 of 21 questions match a unit):

For the exam itself: previous year question papers by programme, the exam form, the date sheet and results and grade card.

Official IGNOU links for MCH 013

• eGyanKosh: MCH-013 General Physical Chemistry
• IGNOU previous term-end question papers
• IGNOU assignments page

Common IGNOU Questions