Learning objectives
O1 - Knowledge and understanding
The students will be able to discuss the fundamental concepts of general and inorganic chemistry in an accurate and functional way for the laboratory. He/she will also be able to critically read and replicate the laboratory protocol. The students will become familiar with the use of glassware and simple laboratory equipment
O2 - Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The students will be able to balance reactions, calculate the quantities of reagents needed, qualitatively and quantitatively predict the results of the proposed experiences.
O3 - Autonomy of judgment
The students will be able to evaluate their own performances by comparing their results against the average results of their classmates.
O4 - Communication skills
The students will be able to find information and discuss any problems associated to the laboratory experiences. The students will be also able to write a report to communicating the results.
O5 - Learning skills
The students will be able to continue to independently study general and inorganic chemistry by expanding on the concepts discussed in class.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of mathematic
Course unit content
Chapter 1: Laboratory Safety
• How to access the laboratory
• PPE (Personal Protective equipment)
• CPE (Collective Protective equipment)
• How to use safely use reagents
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Hazard Statements
• Precautionary Statements
• Pictograms
• Incompatible chemical substances
• How to write a lab report
Chapter 2: Laboratory glassware
• Glassware for sample manipulation
• Glassware to collect liquid samples
• Glassware to measure volumes
• Instrument sensitivity
• Graduated glassware vs. calibrated glassware
• Burette
• How to read the volume in a burette
Chapter 3: Weight Calculations
• Molecular mass
• Mole
• Avogadro's number
• Calculation of the number of moles
Chapter 4: Chemical reactions
• Reagents and Products
• Acid-base reactions
• Exchange reactions
• Redox reactions
• Phenomena that tend to favor a reaction
• Molecular equations and ionic equations
• Balancing a reaction
• Notations for the definition of the physical state
• Reaction yield
• Number of equivalents
• Chemical nomenclature
Chapter 5: Solutions and Concentrations
• Solutions
• Concentration
• Solubility
• Saturated solution
• Molarity
• Molality
• Normality
• Percentage by mass
• Molar fraction
• Limiting reagent
Chapter 6: Theory of acids and bases
• Bronsted and Lowry acids and bases
• Conjugated acids and bases
• Amphiprotic substances
• Acid-Base equilibrium in water
• Strong acids and bases
• Weak acids and bases
• Monoprotic and polyprotic acids
• Autoprotolysis of water
• Calculation of the pH of a solution
• Buffer solutions
Chapter 7: Errore estimation
• Precision vs Accuracy
• Definition of the statistical error
Laboratory experiences:
• First laboratory experience: Chemical reactions and Observation
• Second laboratory experience: Synthesis of inorganic and organometallic compounds
• Third laboratory experience: Synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles
• Fourth laboratory experience: Acid-base titration
• Fifth laboratory experience: Dilutions and Redox Titration
Full programme
The course introduces the students to the chemical laboratory, with the aim of making them autonomous in replicating a laboratory procedure, handling standard instrumentation and glassware. The lectures will have a pragmatic approach linked to the use of chemicals and laboratory equipment. Safety issues will be also discussed (H sentences, P sentences, pictograms, MSDS). The students will be also able to discuss the type of reactions (acid-base, redox) and balance reagents and products. He/She will be able to perform simple chemical calculations. The laboratory activities will have an increasing difficulty according to a didactic path. The experiences will therefore be focused on:
1. Chemical Reactions and Observation
2. Synthesis of inorganic and organometallic compounds
3. Synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles
4. Acid-base titration
5. Dilution and Redox Titration
leading the student from the observation of a chemical phenomena to the synthesis of luminescent materials and magnetic nanoparticles. The acid-base and redox titrations will lead the students to accurately perform the procedure, collect data and share them with their classmates in order to evaluate the associated statistical error. In order to make the student autonomous and critical in drafting a scientific report, the reports of the first three experiences will be corrected in class and only the last two reports will be subject to evaluation.
Bibliography
- Chimica Generale
Silvestroni, V ed.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- Come risolvere i problemi di chimica
Ugozzoli F.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- Stechiometria
Bertini I., Luchinat C., Mani F., Ravera E. VI ed.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- Chimica Test Ed Esercizi
Michelin R.A., Sgarbossa P., Mozzon M., Munari A.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Teaching methods
Lectures, unless otherwise indicated, will be delivered in person. In the cases linked to the pandemic, the lessons can be carried out remotely through the Teams platform.
The laboratory activities will be carried out in presence.
Teaching material (slides and videos) will be made available through the Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
The preparation will be verified with an oral test evaluated in thirtieths, contingent on passing a written exam. The oral exam will consist of a question on a topic covered in class at the student's choice and on two topics chosen by the commission. The written test will focus on the verification of operational knowledge of chemistry through exercises.
Other information
The attendance to the laboratory activities is mandatory. If the student is unable to attend, he/she must alert the teacher in advance. Additional Lab recovery session will be scheduled by the end of the semester.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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