Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The course is introduced with a short repetition of the theoretical basis from high school level chemistry. It continues with descriptions of chemical bonds at the atomar and molecular level and concludes with macroscopic studies of Chemical phenomena - what can be observed (conservation of energy and matter, equilibria, kinetics, electrochemistry). The course is structured in seminars comprised of lectures, workshops/problem solving, in class quiz'es and experimental exercises.

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, i.e. enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy
• 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