66907 - General Chemistry (A-L)

Learning outcomes

The student acquires the fundamental knowledge on Chemistry and understands its importance as a central, useful, and creative branch of science. He also learns how to solve practical and numerical problems.

Course contents

Atom, isotopes and atomic weight of the elements. Fundamental quantities (S.I) and size. Periodic table. Electronic configuration of atoms. Shape of the orbitals. Periodic properties. Ionization energy and electronic affinity, atomic dimensions.

Chemical bond: covalent, polar and ionic bond. Electronegativity and binding energy. Nomenclature. Geometry and bond in polyatomic molecules. VSEPR theory. Rule of the octet and limits of validity. Hybrid orbitals. Resonance and limit formulas.

Aggregation states and solutions. Notes on gases. Liquids, aqueous solutions and concentration of solutions. Ideal solutions and Raoult's law. Ionic and covalent solids. Metallic solids. Weak interactions and hydrogen bonding. Colligative properties.

Chemical reactions and stoichiometric calculation. Chemical equilibrium. Le Chatelier principle. Chemical equilibrium in solution. Ionic product of water. pH of a solution. Acid and base concept. Strong and weak acids and bases and acid-base equilibria in aqueous solution. Hydrolysis and buffer solutions. Poorly soluble salts and solubility product. Common ion effect. Oxidation states. Redox reactions and potential standard scale. Elements of chemical thermodynamics and of chemical kinetics: reaction speed, activation energy, catalysts.

The program also includes three practical exercises in presence in a chemical laboratory, on the topics of the theoretical program. In particular, practical exercises will deal with redox reactions, complexation, precipitation and acid-base equilibria (titrations and buffer solutions).

The attendance of this training activity requires (it is compulsory) all students to carry out Modules 1 and 2  in e-learning [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute -and-safety / safety-and-health-in-study-places-and-internship] and the participation in Module 3 of specific training on safety and health in study places.

Information on dates and methods of attendance for Module 3 can be found in the specific section of the degree program website.

Readings/Bibliography

Any book of General and Inorganic Chemistry, even quite old but of a university level, is absolutly fine.

Possible suggestions could be the english version of some one of this books:

- CHIMICA Kotz , Treichel , Townsend 6° ed. EDISES

- FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA Brown, Woodward et al. 4° edizione EDISES

- CHIMICA un approccio molecolare Tro, 2° edizione EDISES

The notes that the student will take at the classroom-taught lessons will be foundamental and all the slides can be downloaded from the link:

https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Teaching methods

The lessons will be presented using the Power Point program. The lessons will also be integrated with classroom exercises carried out by the teacher, on all the topics that will be examined.

Exercises on any subject of the course will be solved by the professor at the end of the relative lessons in order to allow students to auto-evaluate their level of understanding. The participation in presence to the classroom-taught lessons is not compulsory but it is strongly suggested since I think it is fundamental for the preparation of the exam.

The course also includes three practical exercises in the General Chemistry laboratory, during which students will become familiar with the most common techniques used in chemical laboratory.

Assessment methods

 

Written and Oral final tests.

The final evaluation will be determined by the results of both a written and a subsequent oral test. The evaluation of 18/30 (or above) of the written test is compulsory for the student to be admitted at the oral one (that is also compulsory).

The written test will be on around 10 exercizes preferentially on: pH calculation, limiting reagent, redox reactions, colligative properties, solubility, nomenclature, acid-base reactions, buffer solutions. At the written test the student can take only the pen, the periodic table and the scientific calculator. It is not allowed to take books or notes and it is strictly forbidden the use of the phone as a scientifica calculator.

The written test can be repeted in any of the subsequent exams, independently from the evaluation but the last test automatically annul the previous ones.

Gli studenti che avranno superato la prova scritta potranno iscriversi (l'iscrizione è obbligatoria) alla prova orale dello stesso appello o di qualsiasi altro appello all'interno dello stesso anno accademico.

At the oral questions can deal with all the topics of the program and the professor will also ask for some simple numerical application.

Rejecting the vote or failing the oral part wil NOT influence the evaluation of the written part that will be still valid within the acedemic year.

The final evaluation will be the average waighted on the credits (written plus oral tests, 7 credits) of the evaluation of the theoretica part and the evaluation of the laboratorial part (1 credit).

The laboratorial part will include three experiences in presence on redox reactions, precipitation, complexation and acid-base equilibria (titrations and buffer solutions). After each experience the student will have to write a report that will be evaluated and will contribute to the final mark.

To pass the laboratorial part the student will have to obtain a mark equal or superior to 18/30 and take part at, at least, 2 experiences on three. The laboratorial part will be evaluated as follows:

5 points each experience partecipation

till to 5 punts for each submetted report.

If the student will not reach the minimum score to pass the laboratorial part, she/he will have to answer to questions at the oral on all the laboratorial part and procedures.

IMPORTANT 

Students with certified disabilities are asked to contact the teacher well in advance of the exam dates to agree, together with the relevant University offices, the most appropriate tools to enable the student to participate in the tests.

 

Teaching tools

Overhead projector, Power Point slides, laboratory tools and instruments.

Office hours

See the website of Nelsi Zaccheroni