COMPLEMENTS OF GENERAL CHEMISTRY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Knowledge of the fundamentals of Mathematics (e.g. first and second degree equations, integrals, exponentials, logarithms, first and second derivatives, …) and Physics (e.g. vectors, force, pressure, speed, potential and kinetic energy, …), is a fundamental prerequisite to tackle the topics of Complements of General Chemistry.
Overall, the students will be evaluated in two different moments:
1. A written examination, with attribution of a mark expressed in thirties, on all the exercise typologies proposed during the first semester front lessons. The students can take this examination starting from the end of the first semester. For the examination to be considered successful, the candidates must achieve a mark of at least 18 out of 30.
2. A written examination, with attribution of a mark expressed in thirties, on all the topics addressed in the second semester front lessons. The students can take this examination starting from the end of the second semester. For the examination to be considered successful, the candidates must achieve a mark of at least 18 out of 30.
The final mark is the average of the two partial marks, weighted over the pertinent teaching hours.
First semester front lectures of Complements of General Chemistry aim at integrating the topics presented in Fundamentals of General Chemistry with a number of basic, theoretical and practical aspects of General Chemistry.
Second semester front lectures of Complements of General Chemistry aim at providing the students with a systematic knowledge of the synthesis, properties and main compounds of the so-called group s and p elements.
As an outcome of the first semester lessons, students are expected to dominate the topics of General Chemistry co during the lessons and fruitfully use them as a basis to tackle the topics of following courses.
As an outcome of the second semester lessons, students are expected to be able to rationalize the chemical behaviour of the main group elements and of their principal compounds.
Some of the topics explained during the front lectures will find application during the practical exercitations in the lab, the aim of which is allowing the students get familiar with the most common glassware and protocols (preparation of solutions, filtration of precipitates, …). As such, the practical exercitations will allow the students test their comprehension skills and are preparatory for the practical sections proposed in following courses. Moreover, writing a report at the end of the exercitations should aid the students rationalizing the results obtained and improving their communication skills.
The main topics of Complements of General Chemistry can be subdivided into three portions, as follows:
First portion, first semester:
1. Definition of mole; relation between mass and mole. Atomic and formula weight. Empirical and molecular formula. Chemical reaction balancing. Chemical reaction stoichiometry. Limiting agent. Reaction yield.
2. Solutions: ways of expressing concentration. Dilution. Stoichiometry of not reactive and reactive solutions. Ideal solutions.
3. Physical states of matter: the gas phase. Boyle’s, Charles’s, Gay-Lussac’s laws. Avogadro’s law. Ideal gas law. Real gas law. Gas mixtures: Dalton’s and Amagat’s laws. Kinetic theory of gases.
4. Balancing of reactions, with particular reference to redox reactions.
5. Ionic equilibria in aqueous solutions. The ionic product for water. Acids and bases: definitions by Arrhenius, Broensted and Lowry, Lewis. Acid-base equilibria. Acid and base ionization constants. The pH scale. pH of aqueous solutions of strong acids, strong bases, weak acids, weak bases. Titrations and titration curves. Titration indicators. Acid and basic hydrolysis. Dissociation degree. Buffer solutions.
6. Solubility equilibria in aqueous solutions. Solubility and solubility product. Soluble and insoluble salts. The so-called common ion effect. The effect of pH on the solubility of salts in aqueous solutions. Selective precipitation. Complex ions formation and solubility in aqueous solutions.
Second portion, second semester:
1. Hydrogen: synthesis, properties, main compounds
2. Group 1 elements: synthesis, properties, main compounds.
3. Group 2 elements: synthesis, properties, main compounds.
4. Group 13 elements: synthesis, properties, main compounds.
5. Group 14 elements: synthesis, properties, main compounds.
6. Group 15 elements: synthesis, properties, main compounds.
7. Group 16 elements: synthesis, properties, main compounds.
8. Group 17 elements: synthesis, properties, main compounds.
Third part, first or second semester: practical exercitations in the lab.
To tackle the topics of Complements of General Chemistry, the students are not required to adopt a specific textbook. During the first lesson, the professor will provide them a not exhaustive list of textbooks, in Italian and English, among which they can choose the most appropriate one for their preparation. The list of textbooks is not reported here as it may change year by year, as a function of the publication of brand new editions.
The teaching activities of Complements of General Chemistry are subdivided into three parts:
1. 36 hours of front lectures during the first semester.
2. 16 hours of front lectures during the second semester.
3. 20 hours of laboratory practise during the first or the second semester
The professor is available to meet the students any working day, preferably by appointment. Her office is located on the third floor of the building in via Valleggio 9, Como.