Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding: Aim of the course is to give the fundamental knowledge in order to understand and apply the concepts of general and inorganic chemistry, with particular regard to the study of matter in its different aggregation states and to the study of chemical transformations (chemical reactions). The knowledge acquired by the student will be used in the subsequent courses containing chemical-physic concepts. Applying knowledge and understanding: the instruments necessary to understand the structure and reactivity of matter, both at macro and micro level, will be furnished. Particular importance will be given to structure-reactivity. property correlations, investigating thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of transformations. Exercises will cover several chapters of the program (taking advantage from "progetto IDEA"), aimed at training the student with quantitative aspects of chemistry. Making judgment: the student will be trained at using all the information received to understand, and then describing, the properties of matter and its behaviour, taking into account also thermodynamic and kinetic data. The exercises will help the student to self-assessment his/her preparation, also with the contribution o discussions on selected topics. Communication skills: the student will be asked to use a correct scientific language, both in oral and written form, as well as the ability to represent graphically the descriptive models of matter (from the electronic model of atom to structural molecular formulae). Learning ability: the student will be able to understand, and in some cases to predict, the outcome of inorganic reactions. He/She will be able to correlate the structure of simple inorganic compounds with its properties/reactivity, the same for simple hydrocarbons. Finally, the student will be able to interpret the thermodynamic parameters of a given process.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Atomic theory basis. Chemical bond, from atoms to molecules. Thermodynamic and equilibrium. States of matter (gaseous, liquid and solid). Phase transitions and phase equilibrium. Solution properties. Behaviour of acids, bases and salts in acqueous solutions. pH of acqueous solutions. Electrochemistry. Kinetic. Brief outlines of organic chemistry.
Full programme
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Bibliography
1) C.KOTZ, P.TREICHEL, J.TOWNSEND: "Chimica", EdiSES; 2) R.H.PETRUCCI, W.S.HARWOOD: "Chimica generale",Piccin; 3)P.ATKINS, L.JONES: "Principi di chimica",Zanichelli
Teaching methods
Class lectures, class practices (stoichiometry) and, when possible, laboratory practices. The stoichiometry practices will be devoted to chemical reactions, concentration of solutions, pH of acqueous solutions. The laboratory practices will be carried out individually with the aim of evidencing some phenomenon described during the frontal lessons.
Assessment methods and criteria
The student should be able to explain the concepts acquired during the course by using an appropriate language and by connecting the different chapters of the program properly. The examination will be constituted by a written test (questions dealing with the fundamental aspects of the program and some stoichiometry exercises). Usually the written exam is composed by an exercise based on nomenclature (whose passing is mandatory to be admitted to the oral exam), by a second exercise about reactions and by other four exercises/questions covering different aspects of the program. During the written exam the use of a calculator will be admitted. A Periodic Table of the Elements will be furnished together with the text of the exam. The student will be admitted to the oral examination only after having passed the written examination. The result of the written exam will be communicated through the dedicated web platform, at least two days before the scheduled oral exam. The final grade is on a scale of 30, based on the average of the written and oral exams.
Other information
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