Learning objectives
The Course of Laboratory of General and Inorganic Chemistry has the aim to provide the students with the fundamental concept and to show the principal experimental techniques which are necessary for the study of Chemistry. In particular, two fundamental aspects will be highlighted: the numeric/stoichiometric aspect (calculations, use of formulae, use of software for the numeric data treatment) and the experimental aspect (participation to lab activities, use of the instruments in the chemical laboratory).
Comprehension skills: the Course will stimulate the study of Chemistry through three approaches:
- Methodological aspect (use of books and handouts, interaction with the teacher)
- Contents aspect (capacity in acquiring and usage of proper language and terms)
- Critical aspect (critical evaluation of own skills, interaction with other students)
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
Nomenclatur, Stoichiometry, Gaseous systems, Chemical equilibrium, Theories of acids and bases, Lab activities.
Full programme
Stoichiometry. Molecular and atomic mass, mole, chemical equations and balancing methods. Empirical formula, purity, limiting reagent and yield. Ideal and real gases laws and their applications. Concentrations, units and colligative properties. Thermochemical equations and spontaneity of a reaction. Chemical equilibrium in gas phase. Equilibrium constants and Le Chatelier principle. Equilibria in solution: acid-base equilibria, hydrolysis, buffers, titrations, solubility of salts. Galvanic and electrolitic cells. Activation energy, order of a reaction. Laboratory activities: 1. Synthesis of zinc iodide from elements 2. Determination of the absolute zero 3. Composition of the solutions and their preparation. 4. Reactivity of inorganic compounds. 5. Titration curves of strong acid / strong baseand weak acid / weak base 6. (a) Preparation of a coordination compound (b) Preparation of a silica gel by the sol/gel method.
Bibliography
P. Michelin Lausarot, G.A. Vaglio - Stechiometria per la Chimica Generale - Ed. Piccin
P. Giannoccaro, S. Doronzo - Elementi di Stechiometria (II Ed.) - EdiSES Ed.
M. Giomini, E. Balestrieri, M. Giustini - Fondamenti di Stechiometria - EdiSES Ed.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures, wtitten exercitations, laboratory exercitations.
Joint examination with the course of General and Inorganic Chemistry.
Assessment methods and criteria
The student will be asked to demonstrate to have acquired:
- fundamental concepts
- skills in presenting the concepts using an adequate approach and consistent with this field of study
- capacity to connect the different concepts, demonstrating the ability to find individually the solutions to problems
- capacity to use textbooks, handouts and data on websites, and the capacity to critically evaluate this material
- knowledge in the fundamental techniques in the chemical laboratory
- capacity to describe in a written form (reports) their lab activities, and to integrate it with the theoretical concepts.
Final exam (written and oral) and report on the lab activities.
Other information
Part of the didactic material is available online for the students.
The teacher is available upon request for discussions and clarifications
about specific topics.
