Chemistry 151
General Chemistry (1st semester)

Fall 2016

Syllabus
(subject to change by the instructor at any time)
Approximate associated sections of the text are in parenthesis. More detailed instructions to prepare for each class will be added as we progress through the semester.

• Note the weekends for Take-Home Exams (in red).
• Note the due dates for problem sets and project assignments (in green).
• There is Mastering Chemistry Homework due before MOST class periods. Make it a habit by checking after each class what is due the next class.

Blank lines delimit separate weeks.

31 Aug  Introduction, Molecular view of Matter (1.1-1.3)
              Read through the entire syllabus carefully!
              Skim 1.1 and 1.3
              Optional: If you enjoy philosophy or poetry, you can read Lucretius "On The Nature of Things". I recommend the sections titled:
              • Nothing Exists Per Se Except Atoms and the Void
              • Character of the Atoms
02 Sep   Measurements and Units (0.1-0.11)
              Skim 0.1-0.11 if you've seen it before. If not, go through it carefully.
              Make sure you know:
              • the first five rows of Table 0.1 and the lower half of Table 0.2
              • how to use scientific notation (0.2)
              • how to convert Celcius to Kelvin and vice versa (0.5) and volume conversions (0.6)
              • the difference between precision and accuracy (0.9) and how to round numbers

05 Sep   LABOR DAY. No classes.
07 Sep   Atomic Theory and Some History (1.2-1.5)
              Skim 1.2, 1.4 and 1.5
              Read the following two sections Chap19a.pdf and Chap19b.pdf from Pullman's "The History of Atomic Thought".
09 Sep   Structure of the Atom and Key Experiments (1.6-1.7)
              At the AIP Online Exhibits website read Discovery of the Electron and Rutherford's Nuclear World.
              Then skim 1.6 and read 1.7 carefully.

12 Sep   Isotopes, The Mole, Elemental Abundances (1.8-1.9,6.3)
              Everything in 1.8, 1.9 and 6.3 is important.
              Elements Assignment #1 is due Tue, Sep 13, 8am, e-mailed to me.
14 Sep   Nuclear Chemistry (1.10-1.11)
              Besides going through 1.10 and 1.11, read through The Components of the Nucleus from an online Chem text.
              You will need to know:
              • main modes of radioactive decay
              • how to balance nuclear reactions
              • the belt of stability
16 Sep   Applications of Nuclear Chemistry
              Problem Set #1 is due at the beginning of class.
              Read Applied Nuclear Chemistry from an online Chem text.
              We'll discuss the key important applications in class.

Take-Home Exam #1 (60 minutes)

19 Sep   The Interaction of Light and Matter (2.1,2.3)
              Everything in 2.1 and 2.3 is important.
21 Sep   Atomic Spectra (2.2,2.9), Wave-Particle Duality (2.4-2.5)
              Everything in 2.2, 2.4 and 2.9 is important. You can skim 2.5.
23 Sep   Constructing an Alien Periodic Table
              No preparation needed. You'll be trying to discover if the elements of an alien world can be organized.
              This activity has no associated Mastering Chemistry homework (so there's nothing due Monday!)

26 Sep   Photoelectron Spectroscopy and the Periodic Table (2.9-2.11)
              Re-read 2.9, then try Problem 2.17, i.e., calculate the Ionization Energy (I.E.) of Hydrogen.
              After that see if you can calculate the I.E. if the electron came from the second, third, fourth, etc. shells.
              Then skim 2.10 and 2.11. We'll cover 2.11 again in more detail two classes hence.
28 Sep   Quantum Numbers and Orbital Shapes/Sizes (2.6-2.8)
              Everything in 2.6-2.8 is important.
              Problem Set #2 is due at the beginning of class.
30 Sep   Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table (2.11-2.14,3.3)
              Everything in 2.11-2.14 and 3.3 is important.
              Writing electron configurations is guaranteed to show up in exams.
              You should also know how atomic size changes in the Periodic Table and explain the trends.

03 Oct   Ions and Periodic Trends (3.1-3.7)
              Everything in 3.1-3.7 is important.
              You must know how Ionization Energy changes in the Periodic Table and explain both the general trends and also specific subtleties.
              Elements Assignment #2 is due 11:59pm, e-mailed to me.
05 Oct   Ionic Bonding and Ionic Compounds (3.8-3.14,4.1)
              Skim 3.8-3.9 and 3.12-3.14.
              Everything in 3.10 is important.
              After this class it is important that you can
              • Explain how and why ionic bonds form.
              • Describe four properties of ionic compounds and connect it to the atomistic level structures.
              • Predict and explain lattice energy trends.
07 Oct   Catch-up Day

Take-Home Exam #2 (75 minutes)

10 Oct   Covalent Bonds (4.1-4.4,5.2)
              Everything in 4.1-4.4 and 5.2 is important.
              Electronegativity is a very important concept. Make sure you know the definition and understand its periodic trends!
12 Oct   Lewis Structures (4.5-4.8)
              Be sure you can name simple covalent compounds as discussed in 4.5.
              Everything in 4.6-4.8 is important.
              Drawing Lewis structures is the most important topic in this class!
14 Oct   Polarity (10.1), More Lewis Structures (4.4,4.9-4.10)
              Everything here is important. You have to be able to draw good Lewis structures, even for more complicated molecules.

17 Oct   Molecular Shape (5.1)
              Everything here is important. You must be able to predict the shape of a molecule after drawing its Lewis structure.
              You should also be able to predict ideal bond angles and deviations from the ideal.
19 Oct   Properties of Covalent Molecules and Structures (10.1,10.10)
              Everything here is important. Also review 4.9-4.10 since electronegativity and polarity may contribute to whether a molecule has a net dipole.
              At a qualitative level, you should be able to order covalent bonds by relative length and relative strength after today's class.
              Problem Set #3 is due at the beginning of class.
21 Oct   FALL HOLIDAY. No classes.

24 Oct   Structure of Solids (10.6-10.9)
              Skim 10.6-10.7
              In 10.8, make sure you can identify and sketch the three types of cubic solids.
              Everything in 10.9 is important. Make sure you can do Conceptual Problem 10.16.
26 Oct   Hybridization and Valence Bond Theory (5.2-5.4)
              The most important part of this section is identifying the hybridization of an atom in a molecule after drawing its Lewis structure.
              Our focus will be on sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridization. You should also be able to draw "balloon" diagrams representing orbital overlap.
              You should be able to count the number of sigma and pi bonds in a molecule.
              Elements Assignment #3 is due Thu, Oct 27, by 11:59pm, e-mailed to me.
28 Oct   Intermolecular Forces (10.2)
              Everything in 10.2 is important.

31 Oct   New Elements / Project Parameters
              We will discuss the parameters for the final project in class today.
02 Nov  Liquids, Phase Diagrams (10.3, 10.11)
              Everything in 10.3 and 10.11 is important.
              In particular, you must be able to sketch a phase diagram, identify the main points, and figure out if a phase transition might occur.
04 Nov  Water
              What properties of water make it unique? Think about these before class today. (I'll be asking!)
              There will also be time for Q&A in preparation for Exam #3.

Take-Home Exam #3 (90 minutes)

07 Nov  Balancing Chemical Equations, Stoichiometry (6.1-6.4)
              Everything from 6.1-6.4 is important.
09 Nov  Limiting Reactants (6.4-6.5)
              Everything in 6.4 and 6.5 is important.
              Remember, after writing the balanced chemical equation, always check if there is a limiting reactant!
11 Nov  Determining Chemical Formulae (6.6-6.7)
              Everything in 6.6 and 6.7 is important.
              You should be able to calculate %masses of elements based on the chemical formula and vice versa.
              Note that when you calculate a formula from %masses of elements, you can only calculate the empirical formula.
              More information (the molar mass) is needed to calculate the actual molecular formula.

14 Nov  Project Discussions
              Dedicated time for you to work with your groups on your project proposal.
              Also you can ask me questions!
16 Nov  Reactions in Solution (6.8-6.11)
              Everything from 6.8-6.11 is important.
              Problem Set #4 is due at the beginning of class.
18 Nov  Precipitation Reactions (7.1-7.4)
              Everything from 7.1-7.4 is important.
              In particular, pay attention to the states. You should be able to identify spectator ions and write net ionic equations.
              While you do not need to memorize the solubility table, you should have a decent idea of the solubility rules and their principles (to be discussed in class).
              New Element Project Proposal is due today by noon, e-mailed to me.

21 Nov  Faith and Reason
              In preparation for today's class, read this first chapter from John Haught's Science and Faith book.
              I will be assigning each of you one of the three positions (Conflict, Contrast, Convergence) so you should have some idea what they are.
23 Nov  THANKSGIVING. No classes.
25 Nov  THANKSGIVING. No classes.

28 Nov  Acids and Bases (7.5)
              Everything in 7.5 is important.
              Be sure you know the Arrhenius definitions of acids and bases.
              You should also be able to explain why an acid/base may be weak/strong and solve neutralization numerical problems.
30 Nov  Redox Reactions 1 (7.6-7.8)
              Everything from 7.6 to 7.8 is important.
              You should be able to identify what gets oxidized, what gets reduced, the reducing agent, the oxidizing agent, in any redox reaction.
              You should know how to assign oxidation numbers.
02 Dec   Redox Reactions 2 (7.9-7.10)
              Everything from 7.9 to 7.10 is important.
              You should be able to balance redox reactions using the half-reaction method.

05 Dec   Gases (9.1-9.3)
              Everything from 9.1 to 9.3 is important, in particular being able to use the ideal gas equation for calculations.
              Also, you should know standard conditions of temperature and pressure.
              Final Project Poster Presentations at LLC Dinner/Symposium (6-8pm)
07 Dec   Kinetic Molecular Theory (9.6-9.7)
              Read 9.6 closely and skim 9.7.
              Key points: Understand what assumptions define an ideal gas, and be able to calculate average kinetic energy and root mean square speed of a gas.
              Problem Set #5 is due at the beginning of class.
09 Dec   Calculations involving Gases (9.4-9.5)
              Everything in 9.4 and 9.5 is important. Numerical problems may be combined with material from chapters 6 and 7.

Take-Home Exam #4 (105 minutes)

12 Dec   Real Gases (9.8)
              Skim 9.8. We'll discuss this briefly if there's time after I answer any questions you have about the final exam.

Final Exam is Mon, Dec 19, 8-10am (120 minutes)


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