Acquiring basic notions concerning the microscopic structure of materials, in relation to their physical and chemical properties. Acquiring basic notions of thermodynamics, applied to the study of simple physical and chemical systems. In particular, the student knows how to perform calculations for the solution of chemical problems and for the interpretation of chemical phenomena. The course contributes to the educational objectives of the course of study, in particular as regards the area of basic disciplines.
Course Prerequisites
Dimensional analysis: unit conversion. Structure of the periodic table. Knowledge of basical nomenclature and terminology. States of matter and state transitions. Meaning of chemical formulas and chemical equations.
Teaching Methods
Lectures (32 h), applied activities (16 h).
Assessment Methods
The exam is constituted by a written part and an oral part. The written part, whose duration will be 90 minutes, is constituted by 10 questions, each valued up to 3 points. All questions have the same value. There will be no penalty for wrong answers. Sufficiency (18/30) in the written part will grant admission to the oral part, which will include a discussion of the written test and questions on the whole program. The final vote will be determined by taking into consideration both the results of the written and oral parts, though it will not be calculated as their exact average. If the teaching is taught in blended mode or remotely, changes can be introduced compared to what is stated in the syllabus to make the course and exams usable also in these ways.
Contents
Atomic structure; periodic table and periodic properties. Chemical bonding: covalent bonding, ionic bonding, metallic bonding. Intermolecular forces. The concept of mole. Limiting reagent. Simple stoichiometric calculations. Thermochemistry. Principles of thermodynamics. Enthalpy, entropy, free energy. Hess’s law. Phase diagrams for a component. Solutions. Concentration units. Chemical equilibrium. Le Chatelier's principle. Equilibrium constant. The law of mass action. Acid-base equilibria. pH calculation. Redox reactions. Electrochemistry. Batteries. Faraday's laws. Kinetics: reaction rate and catalysis.
The written part can be replaced by two half-exams that will be held at half course and at its end. Students who get the sufficiency in both parts can access the oral part directly.
