Ateneo - UPO

The purpose of the course is to provide the basic knowledge in general and inorganic chemistry. The connection with the various biological disciplines will be discussed, in particular with the use of examples and numerical exercises.

The presentations will be available on the D.I.R. site together with material for autonomous study. Suggested Reference Books: -Chang, "Fondamenti di chimica generale", McGraw-Hill; -Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, “Chimica” Edises; -Petrucci et al.: “Chimica generale. Principi ed applicazioni moderne”, Piccin; -Masterton, Hurley: "Chimica: Principi e Reazioni", Piccin; -Tro: "Chimica: un approccio molecolare", Edises; -Whitten, Davis, Peck, Stanley, Chimica (9 Ed.), Piccin; -Speranza et al., Chimica generale e inorganica, Edi.Ermes. Stoichiometry Reference Books: -Bertini, Luchinat, Mani, Ravera: "Stechiometria", Casa Editrice Ambrosiana; -Breschi, Massagli: "Stechiometria", Edizioni ETS; -Bruschi: "Stechiometria e laboratorio di chimica generale - Eserciziario 2/Ed", Pearson; -Caselli, Rizzato, Tessore, Stechiometria dal testo di M. Freni e A. Sacco, Edises; -Del Zotto, "Esercizi di chimica generale", EdiSES; -Michelin-Lausarot, Vaglio: "Fondamenti di stechiometria", Piccin.

The course aims to provide the main understanding of chemical phenomena, with details of applicative aspects. A supplementary noteworthy effort will be set on the chemical behavior of aqueous solutions and related chemical reactions, to establish the necessary basis for supplementary chemistry courses and related biological courses.

Basic (high school) knowledge of mathematics and physics

Classroom lessons in which the main topics reported in the abovementioned program will be disseminated. Course is hereafter completed by practical classroom exercises to tackle a few of the exposed topics.

Learning Control: Interactive discussion of the explained topics will be stimulated. Students will be involved in the shared resolution of applicative exercises, to strengthen their knowledge and test actual progresses.

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/servicesstudents-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 exam consists of a 2-hour written exam that evaluates the ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course. This test will consist of 6 exercises and 6 multiple choice questions. The exercises may include: the balance of chemical reactions, property of the solutions, acid-base properties, Lewis structure. The questions may include: the electronic structure of the atoms, the periodic system, the chemical bond, the intermolecular forces and the physical states of matter, thermodynamics and kinetics, acids and bases, solubility, electrochemistry. The exercises/questions will be chosen so that the entire program is covered, and the student can demonstrate that they know and understand at least the basic concepts through their applications. The difficulty level of the exercises corresponds to the program and the reference texts indicated. Each of the six exercises will be awarded max 3 points, while each of the six questions will be awarded max 2 points (no penalty will be applied if the answer is wrong). The written test will be passed if the sum of the scores is not less than 18 points (18/30). During the exam, it will be verified that the student has obtained the certification of the "Health and Safety at Work - General Course."

The matter: physical states, definition of matter (elements, compounds and mixtures). The atomic structure. Atoms and isotopes. Compounds and molecular representations (the laws of definite proportions and of multiple proportions). Atomic and molecular weights. Definition of a.m.u. Avogadro's Number and the concept of mole. Chemical reactions (oxidation numbers, balance of redox and non-redox reactions). The quanto-mechanical description of the atom (orbital concept, quantum numbers, the Aufbau principle). The Periodic Table and its correspondence with the electronic structure of elements. Periodic properties. The chemical bond: the octet rule, ionic bonds, covalent bonds in the theory of valence bond. Hybrid orbitals. The concept of resonance. Bond order and bond lengths, multiple bonds. Electronegativity, polarity of bonds and molecules. Intermolecular forces (ion-dipole, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonds, induced dipoles, dispersion forces). The aggregation states of matter. Gas: definition and the law of perfect gases. Liquid and solid states. State changes (state diagrams). Solutions: concentrations and colligative properties. Thermodynamics: definitions, the principles of thermodynamics, enthalpy, entropy, free energy. Chemical kinetics: definitions and integrated kinetic laws (zero order, 1st and 2nd order), activation energy and the control of a reaction rate (Arrhenius' law), catalysts. Chemical reactions: the law of the action of masses and Le Chatelier principle, influence of experimental parameters on the chemical constants. Reactions in aqueous solutions, autoprotonation of water and the pH, acid-base concepts, strong and weak acids and bases (classification and their strength, the structure of most important acids containing N, P, S and halogen elements), hydrolysis, buffer solutions. Products of solubility: definition and applications. Electrochemistry: standard potentials and Nernst's equation, galvanic and electrolitic cells, corrosion. Descriptive Chemistry: metals, semimetals and non-metals. Principal properties of these groups. Stoichiometry exercises related to these issues. Laboratory safety concepts. During the lessons, whenever the opportunity arises, attention will be focused on gender-related topics.

Knowledge and understanding: theoretical and operational knowledge about the fundamental laws of chemistry (mol, reaction, bonds and molecular structure, states of matter, solutions, equilibrium, solution pH, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry); acquisition of a vocabulary of chemical terms to be able to expose chemical-scientific topics in a precise, concise and clear manner; acquisition of knowledge on health and safety at work. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the theory to assign of the names of the most common inorganic chemical compounds, to balance a chemical reaction, to perform stoichiometric calculations, to solve numerical problems with gases, solutions, and acid or basic substances, and electrochemistry; ability to correlate the chemical structure with the physical properties and reactivity of the compounds. Making judgements: ability to interpret and rationalize chemical reactions from a critical and non-mnemonic point of view, using a scientific methodological approach to be applied to subsequent studies in other fields of chemistry and biology. Communication skills: ability to use a suitable scientific language during the learning control in the classroom. Learning skills: ability to use the teaching material for a critical and reasoned study; skills to autonomously explore a topic starting from the material provided by the teacher.