CHEMISTRY 16: General Chemistry 1

Course Syllabus
I. Matter: Properties, Composition and Changes it Undergoes
A. Matter: Its properties and Measurement

Fundamental definitions
Chemical and physical properties

Chemical and physical changes

States of Matter

Matter and energy

Measurement of matter: conversion factors or dimentional analysis, density,
percent composition, heat and temperature
B. Components of matter (elements, compounds, mixtures)

Laws of mass conservation,law of definite composition, law of multiple proportion

Daltons Atomic Theory

Structure of the atom and fundamental particles

Atomic number, mass number and atomic symbol

Isotopes and atomic masses of the elements

C. Changes in the Nucleus

Radioactivity and nuclear stability

Radioactive decay and types

Balancing Nuclear Equations

Energetics of nuclear reactions: nuclear binding energy and binding energy per

nucleon
Kinetics of radioactive decay: rate of radioactive decay, half-life, radioisotopic
dating

Nuclear transmutation

Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Applications of isotopes

Effect of nuclear radiation on matter

II. Stoichiometry and Chemical Equations

The Mole Concept: Avogadros Number; definition of a mole; molar mass;

interconverting moles, mass and number of chemical entities; mass percent from

chemical formula
Dtermining the formula of an unknown compound: empirical formulas; molecular
formulas
III. Chemical Reactions

Writing and balancing equations

Mass relationships in chemical reactions: calculating amounts of reactant and
product for stoichiometrically equivalent molar ratios; limiting reactant
Theoretical, actual and percent yields
Types of chemical reactions: combination and decomposition reactions,

displacement reactions, combustion reactions

Aqueous ionic reactions: precipitation reactions; acid-base reactions and

oxidation-reduction reactions
Solution stoichiometry: concentration of solutions; diilution of solutions;

stoichiometry of chemical reactions in solution

Titrations and calculations for acid-base titrations
FIRST LONG EXAM
IV. Thermochemistry

Terminology in thermochemistry
Forms of energy and their interconversition

First Law of Thermodynamics

Heats of Reaction and chemical change

Calorimetry: heat capacity and specific heat, laboratry measurement of heat of

reaction
Stoichiometry of thermochemical eqautions
Hesss Law

Standard heats of reaction

Bond energies

Entropy and entropy change

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Spontaneity and temperature dependence of spontaneity

Free energy change
V. Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure

Nature of light: wave and particle nature of light

Atomic spectra

Wave-particle duality of matter and energy

Quantum-mechanical model of the atom

Quantum numbers and atomic orbitals

VI. Electron Configuration and Chemical Periodicity

Development of periodic table

Quantum-mechanical model and the periodic table

Electron configuration
Periodic Law and the periodic table

Periodic properties of the elements: sizes of atoms and ions; ionization energy;

electron affinity; electronegativity; magnetic properties

Metals, nonmetals, metalloids
VII. Chemical Bonding

Basic concepts of chemical bonding

Lewis symbols

The Octet Rule

Ionic bonding

Covalent bonding
Bond polarity and electronegativity

Drawing Lewis structures

Formal changes

Exceptions to te Octet Rule

Resonance structures

Bond energies and bond lengths

VIII. Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories

Valence- Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory and molecular shapes

Molecular shape and molecular polarity

Valence Bond (VB) Theory

Hybrid Orbitals

Molecular Orbital (MO) Theory: molecular orbitals, MO energy level diagrams;

bond order and bond stability
SECOND LONG EXAM
IX. Liquids, Solids and Phase Changes

Overview of Physical States and Phase Changes

Intermolecular Forces

Some properties of liquids: viscosity, surface tension, capillary action, boiling

points, vapor pressure
Solids: types, structure, properties and bonding
Phase changes and energy changes accompanying phase changes
Phase Diagrams
X. Gases

Properties of gases
Gas pressure and its measurements

The Gas Laws: Boyles Law, Charles Law, Avgadros Lawl Combined Gas Law
The Ideal Gas Law

Solving Gas Law problems

Further applications of Ideal Gas Law: gas density and molar mass; volumes of

gases in chemical reactions

Daltons Law of Partial Pressures
The Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases
Real Gases: Deviations from Ideal Behavior
XI. Solutions

Types of solutions

The Solution Process

Quantitative ways of expressing concentration: molarity, molality, mole fraction,

mass percent, volume percent, interconverting concentration terms

Coliigative properties of nonvolatile nonelectrolyte slutions: vapor pressures

lowering and Raoults Law, boiling point elevation; freezing point depression, osmotic
pressure
Coliigative properties of strong electrolyte solutions and Cant Hoff factor
XII. Acids and Bases

The Arrhenius Theory

Autoionization of Water and the pH Scale

Bronsted-Lowry Theory
Strengths of acids

Acid-Base Reactions in Aqueous Solutions

The Lewis Theory
THIRD LONG EXAM

1.
2.

Prelab worksheets are not the only preparation to make for lab.
Answer the books problem sets.

3.

Record the DG scores you get. Record every score of every assessment.

4.
5.

Record the entire DG, while youre at it. Instant problem set for exam reviews.
Note EVERYTHING the instructor says even if it seems too complicated to
understand or inconsequential. Especially if it seems inconsequential. (This way, you
avoid the But, Ma'am, you said Zn(NH3)2+ wouldnt come out in the exam!

syndrome.)
6.
If in doubt, ask.
7.
8.
9.

If still in doubt, ask again.

Work in groups. Verify formulas.
Do not sandwich your PE class between Chem lec and lab. Never, ever, sandwich
PE class between Chem lec and lab. Its on the other side of the world.

10.
11.

Work with a lab partner who knows what they are doing.
Prepare for Chem 17.

12.
13.

Concepts come before problem solving.

Always ask WHY.