Ateneo - UPO

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.

Teacher notes will be provided on the DIR platform. Recommended readings texts are:
R. Breschi and A. Massagli, "Stoichiometry", Edizioni ETS
R. Morassi, G.P. Speroni, "The Chemical Laboratory, Piccin
Slowinski, Wolsey, Masterton, "Chemistry Laboratory", Piccin

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.

Attendance at the modules of general and inorganic chemistry and stoichiometry are useful complements as theoretical supports for the experimental activity carried out in this course.

Lectures in the classroom, laboratory activities with related discussion. The student has to write a detailed report reports on one of the laboratory experiences.

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.

Examination: students who have passed the first part of the written exam are admitted to the second part of the exam. Moreover, the student writes a report on one of the experiences to demonstrate the understanding of the theoretical concepts, the ability to apply them, the ability of making judgements and the skill to report on the work done. Moreover, the report allows the evaluation of the learning skill based on the use of the provided teaching material. The exam consists of an evaluation of the report. The rating is up to a max. of 3 points for the laboratory (solid knowledge of and ability to apply the studied subjects and correct language). The minimum requirement to pass this exam is the execution of all the experiments and the preparation of a written detailed report.

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: knowledge of properties of acids and bases, buffer solutions, redox reactions, titrations, kinetics; familiarity with simple basic techniques of filtration and crystallization. Applying knowledge and understanding: 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: skill to analyze critically the results of the laboratory experiences, understanding possible errors and suggesting solutions.; ability to do choices. Communication skills: skill to report on the work done (and generally on chemical-scientific topics) in a precise, concise and clear manner; achievement of a suitable scientific language; 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.