Ateneo - UPO

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.

Course slides (pdf files) are available on the DIR platform. Suggested books: Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, Treichel, Chimica, Edises, VII Ed., 2021. Atkins, Jones, Laverman, Patterson, Young, FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA GENERALE Zanichelli, 3° edizione italiana 2025 Silberberg, Amateis, Licoccia, CHIMICA, V Ed., Mc Graw Hill, 2023. Overby, Chang, Costanzo, Galeazzi, Turano, FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA GENERALE 4/ED CON CONNECT E EBOOK, IV Ed., Mc Graw Hill, 2024. Petrucci, Herring, Madura, Bissonette, Chimica Generale. Principi ed applicazioni moderne, Edizione 2025, PICCIN.

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.

Basic elements of calculus.

Classroom lectures, powerpoint presentations and guided exercises with open discussion.

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.

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 (3 hours) and students who have passed the first
part (Stoichiometry exam) of the exam are admitted to this part. The
exam is articulated in 15 questions (12 about the theory and 3 on the
laboratory experiments ). Minimum value for sufficiency is 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. On the DIR platform students find, along with the slides of the
course, a complete example of an exam text. 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. The independence of judgment is also assessed through the request to express judgments and make comparative choices.

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. Gender dimension integration: a brief reflection will be made on the scientific role played by some important female scientists of the past.

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. 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; 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 nonmnemonic point of view, using a scientific methodological approach to be
applied to subsequent studies in other fields of chemistry and biology.
Making judgements: ability to interpret and rationalize chemical
processes from a critical point
of view, using a scientific methodological approach;
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.