Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Students who have passed the module should be able to

• Explain fundamental chemical and physico-chemical principles for reactions and equilibria
• Explain the structure of the atom, chemical bonding and intermolecular forces
• Account for atomic orbitals, the electron configuration of the elements and the physical description of the atom that form the basis of the periodic table
• Describe different models for development of molecular orbitals that describe the molecular covalent bond and geometry of molecules
• Explain fundamental differences on redox reactions, acid-base reactions, solubility reactions and chemical complexation
• Account for fundamental thermodynamics
• Account for fundamental electrochemistry, including galvanic elements and electrolysis
• Explain fundamental reaction kinetics and be able to explain reaction rates and reaction orders for selected reactions

Skills

• Balance chemical reactions and perform appropriate stoichiometric calculations and mass balances
• Explain the electron configurations of atoms, ions and molecules and their influence on the geometric size of the particle based on orbital and VSEPR theory
• Calculate pH and redox-potentials for relevant equilibria
• Calculate enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy for chemical reactions
• Develop a Nernst equation for calculation of the electromotive force of a redox reaction
• Calculate yields of electrolytic reactions
• Develop rate equations describing chemical reaction kinetics, explain the order of the constituent components and the overall reaction and explain the parameters of the rate constant
• Model the kinetics of simple reaction mechanisms for simulation and illustration of the time course of chemical reactions

Competences

• Plan and dimension simple chemical laboratory experiments based on knowledge of the chemical and physical conditions where these reactions happen

Type of instruction

• Lectures, exercises, laboratory work, writing of laboratory journals

Extent and expected workload

150 hours

Exam

Exams