The course aim is to provide the basic principles for the study of atomic structure of matter, the conditions of formation of bonds, the chemical reactivity, the chemical equilibrium  and the properties of the main elements.   Knowledge of these concepts is of fundamental importance to undertake the study of subsequent courses characterizing the degree course

Matter: elements, compounds and mixtures.

Atoms, isotopes, atomic number and atomic mass. Molecule and molecular mass. Mole, Avogadro number.

Nucleus. Protons and neutrons. Stability of nucleus and binding energies. Nuclear fission and fusion. Radioactive decay. Half-life.

 
Electron. Atomic orbitals. Quantum numbers. Energies of orbitals in many-electron atoms. Electron configurations of many-electron atoms. The Periodic Table. Atomic properties: ionisation energy, electron affinity, electronegativity and atomic radius.

Chemical bond. Lewis symbols and valence electrons. The Lewis model for covalent bond. s and p bonds. VSEPR model. Bonds parameters: bond energy and bond polarity. Hybrid orbitals. Ionic compounds: bonds and radii. Metallic bond.  

Intermolecular forces, Van der Waals interactions. Hydrogen bonding.

Nomenclature.

Chemical reactions. Oxidation number and oxidation-reduction reactions. Balancing chemical equations. Gram-equivalent. Stoichiometry                                        

States of matter. Properties and characteristics of gases. Ideal-gas. Gas laws and their applications. The kinetic molecular theory of gases. Real gases and Van der Waals equation. 

Properties and characteristics of solids. Unit cell. Classification. Crystalline and amorphous solids.

Physical properties of liquids: equilibrium vapor pressure, boiling point, viscosity and surface tension.

Changes of state. Heating and cooling curves. Thermodynamic. Phase diagrams of H2O and CO2.

Solutions: types of solutions. Concentration. Solvation and solubility. Thermodynamic parameters. Colligative properties. Electrolytes, percent dissociation. 

Chemical equilibrium. Law of mass action, equilibrium constant. Le Chatelier’s principle. Heterogenous equilibria. Chemical thermodinamic.

Chemical kinetics: reaction rates. Reaction mechanism. Temperature and Activation energy.Catalysis.

Aqueous solution equlibria. Acid and bases in water: the Bronsted-Lowry theory. Coniugate acid-base pair. The strength of an acid and of a base. Factors affecting acid-base strength. The dissociation of water and the pH scale. pH calculations for strong and weak acid and base solutions. Buffer solutions. 

Solubility of ionic solids. Equilibrium solid phase-saturated solution. Solubility product. Constant. Common-ion effect. Criteria for precipitating or dissolving slightly soluble salts. 

Electrochemistry. Galvanic cells. Standard electrode and cell potentials. Electromotive force. Nernst equation. Quantitative relations involving E, E°, and K. Electrolysis. Faraday’s laws. Practical applications. Accumulators.

Inorganic Chemistry. Chemical properties and periodicity.  Hydrogen, Sodium, Calcium, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Chlorine. 
 

At the end of course the student will have to show:

A) to know the fundamental principles of General Chemistry:  the atomic structure, the properties of the elements and their ability to form compounds, molecular structures, chemical reactions, energy exchanges, states of matter, chemical kinetics, equilibrium in solution, the properties acid -bases,  electrochemistry,  the chemistry of the elements of the main groups

B)  to have acquired applicative skills concerning balance reactions, stoichiometry and problem solving on aqueous solution equilibria (acids-bases, solubility product) and electrochemistry

C)  to be able to assess and solve autonomously problems related to the course content

D) to have developed  oral and written communication skills  suited to the presentation of the concepts acquired

E) to be able to explore the topics in different contexts and autonomously

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course consists in lecturers and stoichiometry together with practical experiences to favor the comprehension.

Attendance

Basic chemistry, mathematics and physics at the secondary school level

Course books

Bertini I., Luchinat C., Mani F., Chimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano  

Fusi V.,  Giorgi L., Lippolis V., Zaccheroni., Chimica, Principi  generali con esercizi, Idelson Gnocchi, Napoli

Cacace F. e Schiavello M., Stechiometria, Bulzoni, Roma

Slides del corso

Assessment

Admission to the oral examination is conditioned by passing a written test consisting try.
The written test consists of 10 questions of general chemistry and stoichiometry and it must be completed within two hours
Students who have attended at least 75% of lessons may replace the written exam with two written tests in itinere

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The non-attending students could ask for the didactic material furnished by the teacher during the lesson; in addition, the teacher is at their disposal for personal meeting to clarify the arguments.

Attendance

Basic chemistry, mathematics and physics at the secondary school level

Course books

Bertini I., Luchinat C., Mani F., Chimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano  

Fusi V.,  Giorgi L., Lippolis V., Zaccheroni., Chimica, Principi  generali con esercizi, Idelson Gnocchi, Napoli

Cacace F. e Schiavello M., Stechiometria, Bulzoni, Roma

Slides del corso

Assessment

Admission to the oral examination is conditioned by passing a written test. 
The written consists of 10 questions of general chemistry and stoichiometry and it must be completed within two hours.
Students who have attended at least 75% of lessons may replace the written exam with two written tests in itinere

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.