General and Inorganic Chemistry with Lab

A.Y. 2024/2025
12
Max ECTS
144
Overall hours
SSD
CHIM/03
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the basics of chemistry from both a theoretical and a practical point of view. The course is splitted into two parts, with classroom lessons, stoichiometry and laboratory practice.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will be able to understand the basics of chemistry both in its theoretical and practical aspects.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary knowledge required
Assessment methods and Criteria
Two written tests. The General and Inorganic Chemistry part consists of 20 questions, most of which with multiple choice. For the General and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory module, the two-and-a-half-hour exam includes solving five exercises on the entire syllabus, for a total score of 33 points (corresponding to a grade of 30 with honors). The exam is considered passed with the achievement of a score of 18/33. The objective of the test is to verify not only the notions acquired by the student, but also his or her problem-solving ability.

Two in-progress tests are scheduled for each module in December and at the end of January. Passing both tests for each module is equivalent to taking the final exam. For each module, the in itinere tests have the same structure as the final exam and are assessed according to the same criteria.

Students and students with DSA or disabilities are asked to contact the lecturers by e-mail at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on any individualized measures. In the email addressed to the lecturer, the respective University Services must be put in CC: [email protected] (for students with DSA) or [email protected] (for students with disabilities).
Module: general and inorganic chemistry
Course syllabus
Atoms and their structure. Quantum numbers and atomic orbitals. The periodic properties of the elements. Ionization potential and electronic affinity. The chemical bond. Ionic compounds. Covalent bond. Electronegativity. Hydrogen Bond. Hybrid orbitals. Molecular orbitals. The metallic bond. Shapes of molecules and Lewis formulas. The VSEPR model. Solid state. Crystal structures. Ideal gases. Solutions and dispersions. Vapour pressures of pure liquids and solutions, Raoult law. Distillation. Colligative properties. Thermochemistry and thermodynamics. Thermodynamics laws: enthalpy, entropy and free energy. Spontaneous processes and chemical equilibrium. Chemical kinetic. Reaction order. Reaction rate and temperature. Activation energy. The catalysts. Arrhenius, Brønsted and Lewis acids and bases. Strengths of acids and bases. Ion-product of water and pH. Electrochemistry. Electrolytes and electric conductivity. Free energy and electric work. Galvanic cells and reduction potentials. The Nernst equation. Batteries and electrolysis. Coordination compounds: chelating ligands, isomery in coordination compounds, π complexes. Radiochemistry. Principles of Inorganic chemistry. Chemical properties of hydrogen, and of its compounds. Some chemical industrial processes.
Teaching methods
Lessons and exercises, made by the teacher, are made with the help of Powerpoint presentations. The files of the latter are available on MyAriel.
Attendance to lessons is recommended.
Teaching Resources
Brown, LeMay, Bursten, Murphy, Woodward, Stolzfus, Fondamenti di Chimica, 5th Italian ed., EdiSES or Chemistry, the Central Science, 15th English ed., Pearson
Atkins, Overton, Rourke, Weller, Armstrong, Chimica Inorganica, 2nd Italian ed., Zanichelli
or Weller, Overton, Rourke, Armstrong, Inorganic Chemistry, 7th ed., Oxford University Press.
Powerpoint slides of the lessons, available on Ariel
Module: Laboratory of general and inorganic chemistry
Course syllabus
Matter and measurements. Avogadro's number. The mole. Atomic and molecular weight. Molar mass. Quantitative meaning of chemical formulas. Weight composition of a chemical compound and of a mixture of compounds. Molar and ponderal relations in a reaction. How to balance a chemical reaction with or without electron transfer. Limiting reactant. Yield. Solutions: how to express the concentration, stoichiometry of reactions in solution, titrations. Ideal gases and relative laws. Chemical equilibrium: equilibrium constants expressed in terms of concentration, pressure, moles and molar fraction. Effect of concentration, pressure and temperature variations on chemical equilibrium. Ionic equilibria in aqueous solution: strong and weak electrolytes; neutral, acidic and basic solutions; pH and pOH. pH calculation for weak and strong acids and bases. Acid and base mixtures: hydrolysis and buffer solutions. Simultaneous equilibria. Complexometry. Precipitation equilibria: solubility and solubility-product constant. Effect of the presence of a common ion, of the pH, and of complexation on precipitation equilibria.
Lectures (2 CFU, 16 hrs) are supported by numerical exercises held in classroom, and by laboratory experiences, for a total amount of 4 CFU (64 hrs).
The single-bench practical laboratory experiences include: synthesis of the Mohr's salt; synthesis and crystallization of PbI2; copper cycle; synthesis of alum from aluminum foil.
Teaching methods
Lessons and stoichiometry exercises are parly made on the blackboard an partly by using Powerpoint presentations. The latter are available on Ariel. Laboratory practise is made individually by each student in a properly equipped laboratory. Attendance to laboratory experiments is mandatory. Attendance to lessons and classroom exercises is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Reference material
Slides and exercises used during the lessons. Booklet of the lab practical experiments.
Bibliography:
1) Caselli-Rizzato-Tessore, "Stechiometria dal testo di M. Freni e A. Sacco", EdiSES
2) Lausarot-Vaglio "Stechiometria per la Chimica Generale" - Piccin
Module: general and inorganic chemistry
CHIM/03 - GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Shifts:
Module: Laboratory of general and inorganic chemistry
CHIM/03 - GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 64 hours
Lessons: 16 hours