Ateneo - UPO

The course provides the basic concepts of general and inorganic
chemistry: properties, composition and structure of the matter, chemical
equilibrium, main concepts of thermodynamics and electrochemistry.

Slides (pdf format) are available on the DIR platform.
Suggested texts:
Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, Treichel, Chimica, Edises, VII Ed., 2021
Brown, Lemay, Bursten, Murphy, Woodward, Stoltzfus, Fondamenti di
Chimica. Edises, IV Ed., 2018
Atkins, Jones, Laverman, Principi di Chimica, Zanichelli, 2018
Silberberg, Amateis, Licoccia, CHIMICA, Quarta Edizione, Mc Graw Hill,
2019.

Objectives of the course are: to clearly present the basic principles of
chemistry; to provide a solid basis and general concepts for
understanding the chemical events at the molecular level. Abilities:
introduce the students to the use of the structure-property approach. In
particular, the module intends to guide the student toward a fully
independent critical attitude in chemistry-related topics, starting from the
recognition of the chemical system and the ability to draw pertinent
conclusions from scientific data and observations. Communication skills:
the student will be guided towards the acquisition of an appropriate
scientific vocabulary.

No particular prerequisites are expected, save for the basic competences
required by the TCI test, with particular reference to basic mathematics.

Classroom lectures, slide shows and guided exercises with open
discussion. Students will be encouraged to supplement in-class work with
individual homework for a successful fruition of the course.

Students will be encouraged to actively participate to classes and guided
through individual or collaborative problem-solving activity in order to
stimulate preparation progresses and regularly test them. This approach
will also favor the development of the expected specific communication skills.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special
Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff
Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli
Studenti, consulting the University webpage:
https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education
needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the
tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities,
concerning academic aspects.

The final exam will consist in a written test to be performed in 3 h (max).
The test will contain 5-8 questions which will include open questions and
numerical/graphical exercises. Each question will correspond to a score of
1 to 5 points depending on the complexity. The maximum score
attainable is 30 points and honour can be granted in case of exceptional
quality. The pass score is 18/30. With a minimum score of 15/30, the
student could request the integration with an oral exam, allowing for a
maximum of additional 3 points to be summed up with the written test
score. The evaluation and scoring of the test will be primarily based on
the capacity of the student to understand the chemical problem, identify
the unknown variables, provide a logical, rigorous and pertinent answer
(open questions) or implement a rational and justified resolution strategy
(numerical/graphical questions) and use the appropriate vocabulary and
rigorous chemical symbolism

The matter: homogeneous and inhomogeneous mixtures. Elements,
compounds and chemical formulas. Nomenclature of chemical
compounds. The laws of chemistry. The mole and the Avogadro number.
The structure of the atom: subatomic particles, isotopes, radioactivity.
The atomic theory. The periodic system and the periodic properties of the
elements. Basic concepts of chemical bonding: Lewis theory and
molecular geometry according to the VSEPR model. Covalent, ionic and
metallic bonds.
Intermolecular forces. Aggregation states and their properties. Ionic,
metal and molecular solids. Gases and their properties. Solutions and
their properties: solubility, vapor tension osmotic pressure. Chemical
reactions and chemical equations. Fundamentals of thermochemistry:
entalpy, entropy, free energy. The chemical equilibrium: the equilibrium
constant, the Le Chatelier Principle and its application. Acids and bases:
Arrhenius, Lewis and Brønsted-Lowry theories. Acid base equilibria and
buffer solutions. Heterogeneous equilibria. Electrochemistry : oxidation
states and redox reactions. Standard potentials and electrochemical
series. The Daniell cell.
Environmental chemistry notions: main simple chemical pollutants, acid rains, metals toxicity

Knowledge and competences: achieving a solid solid background on the
fundamental concepts of chemistry (chemical quantity, reactions, states
of matter, chemical bonds, molecular structure, equilibrium, acids and
bases, thermochemistry, electrochemistry). Capability to apply the
acquired knowledge for the resolution of chemical problems. Ability to
understand and interpret chemical and physico-chemical transformations
at the macroscopic and microscopic level. Ability to recognize the main
classes of inorganic compounds and name them. Master a critical
approach in the design and resolution of chemical problems and
experiments. Communication skills: the student is expected to acquire
and properly use a suitable scientific vocabulary and be able to report on
a chemical problem/experiment in a clear and concise manner.