Ateneo - UPO

GENERAL CHEMISTRY. The module provides the basic concepts of general and inorganic chemistry: knowledge of the properties, composition and structure of matter, chemical equilibrium, chemical thermodynamics and kinetics and electrochemistry. STOICHIOMETRY. Basic numerical problems related to topics covered in the General and Inorganic Chemistry module: balanced chemical equations, the solutions and their properties, the chemical equilibrium in solution. LABORATORY. Further deepening of some topics of General Chemistry and introduction to the main experimental techniques used in the laboratory. The laboratory practice consists of safety concepts, the basic study of solution equilibria, electrochemistry and some simple inorganic syntheses.

Course slides (pdf files) are available on the DIR platform. Suggested books: 1) Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, Treichel, Chimica, Edises, VII Ed., 2021 2) J. Overby, R. Chang, Fondamenti di Chimica Generale, IV Ed., Mc Graw Hill 2024 3) P. Atkins, L. Jones, L. Laverman, Fondamenti di Chimica Generale, Zanichelli, III edizione italiana, 2025 4) M. S. Silberberg, P. G. Amateis, CHIMICA, Quinta Edizione, Mc Graw Hill, 2023; 5) Brown, LeMay, Bursten, Murphy “Fondamenti di CHIMICA”, Edises, V Edizione, 2024; 6) Petrucci, Herring, Madura, Bissonette, Elementi di Chimica Generale, PICCIN, 2026. R. Breschi e A. Massagli, “Stechiometria”, Edizioni ETS M. Bruschi, “Stechiometria e Laboratorio di Chimica Generale”, Pearson P. Michelin Lausarot e G. A. Vaglio, “Fondamenti di Stechiometria”, Piccin R. Morassi, G.P. Speroni, "Il laboratorio Chimico", Piccin Slowinski, Wolsey, Masterton, "Laboratorio di Chimica", Piccin

GENERAL CHEMISTRY. Objectives of the course are: to clearly present the basic principles of chemistry; to provide solid basis and knowledge for understanding the chemical events at the molecular level. Abilities: introduce the students to the use of structure-property concept. Ability in making judgements and driving conclusions from the results of his experiments. Communication skills: the students will be able to use a suitable chemical vocabulary in relation to the course arguments and methods. STOICHIOMETRY. At the end of the course, the students will acquire the knowledge necessary to solve simple stoichiometry exercises. In particular, the students will be able to draw conclusions, to choose the most appropriate strategies and apply the knowledge in solving the practical problems that will face in lab classes. They will also have acquired an appropriate chemical lexicon as well as the ability to learn independently new knowledge on stoichiometry problems. LABORATORY. The course has the following objectives: to develop basic knowledge on materials and equipment of common use in the chemical laboratory; become familiar with the basic operations and techniques of chemical experiments; gain preliminary skills on preparation of inorganic compounds and their purification; experimental verification of the main chemical processes in aqueous solution (acidity, neutralization, buffering capacity, precipitation, electrolysis, galvanic processes). Abilities: develop the student skill in the basic laboratory practices. Learning skills and ability in making judgements and driving conclusions from the results of his experiments. Communication skills: the students will be able to use a suitable chemical vocabulary in relation to the course arguments and methods and to write reports on the results of his experiments. Making judgements: the student will be able to draw conclusions from the laboratory experiences. Learning skills: ability to use the material provided for a subsequent reasoned use and further study.

Basic elements of calculus.

Classroom lectures, powerpoint presentations and guided exercises with open discussion. Laboratory activities with related discussion; the student has to write a detailed report on one of the laboratory experiences.

GENERAL CHEMISTRY. The learning progress monitoring will be carried out through periodic questions and exercises given to students, followed by resolution on the blackboard and self-assessment. STOICHIOMETRY. During the course, the students will be directly involved (individually and collectively) in solving numerical exercises in order to stimulate the preparation and testing on a daily basis the progress made, encouraging also the use of the appropriate chemical lexicon. LABORATORY. The learning progress monitoring involves individual report on each of the activities, including general discussion and stoichiometry tests.
- 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 is written and consists of two parts. The first part (2 hours) will consist of 8 stoichiometric exercises (maximum total: 10 points); the passing grade of the test is 6. The second part is articulated in 15 questions (1 open question and 14 non-numerical exercises). The maximum score is 20/30 with a minimum value for sufficiency fixed to 12 (knowledge of fundamental concepts). The highest grade is obtained with a solid knowledge and ability to apply the acquired knowledges on all the subjects. The laboratory report will be evaluated up to 3 point. On the DIR platform students find, along with the slides of the course, a complete example of an exam paper. The results of the exam reveal the degree of understanding of theoretical concepts, the ability to use them to solve problems of medium difficulty and the degree to acquiring an adequate technical-scientific language in the answers to the open question. The independence of judgment and learning skills are also assessed through the request to express evaluations, make comparative choices and in-depth written report.

GENERAL CHEMISTRY. Elements, compounds, mixtures, formulas. The Avogadro constant and the mole concept. Elements of stoichiometry. Structure of the atom: nucleus, isotopes, radioactivity. The atomic theory: atomic spectra, the Bohr model, many-electron atoms. The periodic table and periodic properties of the elements. Basic concepts of the chemical bond: Lewis theory, shape of molecules using the VSEPR model. Models of covalent bonding. Ionic and metallic bond. Intermolecular forces, states of matter and their main properties. The solutions and their properties: solubility, vapor pressure, osmotic pressure. The chemical reactions and the chemical equation: balancing a chemical reaction. Thermodynamics: enthalpy, entropy and free energy. The principles of chemical equilibrium; the equilibrium state and the equilibrium constant; the response of equilibria to changes in conditions. Acid-base equilibria. Solubility equilibria. Electrochemistry: redox reactions and oxidation states; standard potentials and equilibrium constants. Chemical kinetics: rate law and reaction orders; activation energy; reaction mechanisms; catalysis. STOICHIOMETRY: This module takes place within the General and Inorganic Chemistry course and consists therefore in basic numerical exercises linked to subjects treated during the theoretical course. It will address in particular: the writing and balancing of chemical equations, solutions and their properties, equilibrium problems (acid-base, pH calculation, buffer solutions, hydrolysis, precipitations), electrochemistry. LABORATORY. A first part of the course, carried on in the classroom (1 credit), regards: i) acid-base titrations and indicators; ii) a description of the main experimental techniques used in the laboratory; iii) fundamental rules of laboratory safety, good laboratory practice and first aid procedures.
The experimental activities in the laboratory (5 credits) is devoted to achieve practical expertise on basic operations (weighing, filtration, crystallization, distillation, preparation of known-title solutions, synthesis of simple inorganic compounds). The work in the laboratory is individual or in small groups, with a continuous tutoring by the teacher. The following experiments will be carried on: preparation of solutions with given concentration and pH determination with indicators. Hydrolysis. Preparation of buffer solutions. Properties of amphoteric metal hydroxides. Study of the reduction potentials of several elements. Determination of the purity of an impure salt (NaCl). Preparation of chromium alum with calculation of the yield of the preparation. Heterogeneous phase equilibria. Influence of pH on solubility. Electrolysis of a solution of KI; electrolysis of water. Preparation of CuCl. Suggestions will be provided on how to write an effective laboratory reports and how to use a correct vocabulary.

Knowledge and understanding: theoretical and operational knowledge about the fundamental laws of chemistry (mole, reaction, bonds and molecular structure, equilibrium, solution pH, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry); visualization of the chemical phenomena from the macroscopic to the microscopic level; operational knowledge of general chemistry to solve stoichiometry exercises; familiarity with simple basic techniques of filtration and crystallization. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the theory to assign 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; acquire the 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; ability to collect experimental data in a suitable way; ability to apply theoretical concepts to the execution and understanding of the experiments and to the interpretation of the results. Making judgements: ability to interpret and rationalize chemical processes from a critical point of view, using a scientific methodological approach; ability to draw conclusions on stoichiometry problems and to choose between different methods; skill to analyze critically the results of the laboratory experiences, understanding possible errors and suggesting solutions.; ability to make choices and express judgments. Communication skills: ability to use a suitable scientific language when answering the questions; acquisition of a vocabulary of chemical terms to be able to expose topics of technical and conceptual nature in a precise, concise and clear manner; skill to report on the work done (and generally on chemical-scientific topics) in a precise, concise and clear manner; ability to write a scientific report.
Learning skills: ability to use the material provided for a subsequent reasoned use and further individual study of one the subjects, in particular, writing a report.