Module CHEM1032: Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & Energetics

Department: Chemistry

CHEM1032: Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & Energetics

Prerequisites

• A-level or equivalent in Chemistry AND Mathematics

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To teach the fundamentals of theoretical and practical Chemistry (contribute to the requirements of RSC accreditation) and to provide a foundation on which later courses can be based.
• To develop the basic manipulative, procedural and reporting skills required for practical chemistry, building on pre-university study.
• Some of the material in this module aims to ensure that students from different pre-university backgrounds attain a common base level.

Content

• Structure and bonding: structure of the hydrogen atom, introduction to orbitals, Aufbau principle, multi-electron atoms, valence bond and MO theories.
• Chemical periodicity. Evaluation of how elements and compounds vary with relation to the periodic table. Rationalisation and prediction of properties based upon periodic position.
• Organic chemistry. Nucleophiles and electrophiles. Organic synthesis, mechanism, and reactivity. Descriptive chemistry of selected organic functional groups.
• Thermodynamics of ideal chemical systems: first and second laws of thermodynamics, U (Internal integral energy), H (Enthalpy), S (Entropy), and G (Gibbs free energy), equilibrium constants. Introduction to phase diagrams and phase rules.
• Chemical kinetics. Reaction profile and measuring reaction rates. Rate laws, coefficients, order of reaction, integrated rate expressions and half-lives. Arrhenius equation, steady state approximations.
• Development of the basic manipulative, procedural and reporting skills required for practical chemistry, building on pre-university study.
• Foundational knowledge of research-led practical chemistry for single honours, natural sciences, and other students.
• Activities including synthetic, measurement, procedural and analytical aspects of practical chemistry, data analysis and applied spectroscopy.

Learning Outcomes

• To draw the graphical forms of hydrogenic wavefunctions, and describe their importance in determining the form of the periodic table;
• To describe the hybrid orbital method of bonding in sp, sp2 and sp3 configurations;
• To describe the molecular orbital theory of bonding in 1st row homo and hetero diatomics;
• To describe trends in properties of elements and compounds throughout the periodic table, and account for why these trends occur;
• To determine the geometries of simple organic molecules and account for the bonding in them;
• To describe the difference between electrophiles and nucleophiles, accounting for their differing behaviour;
• To rationalise the chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes and carbonyl compounds;
• To describe, including the use of curly arrows, the fundamental organic reaction mechanisms of nucleophilic substitution at sp3 carbon and electrophilic addition to alkenes, and apply this understanding to simple transformations;
• To describe the fundamental thermodynamic parameters and calculate their values from physical data, relate changes in the parameters to phase changes and use them to calculate equilibrium constants for chemical reactions;
• To relate an equilibrium constant to fundamental thermodynamic parameters;
• To manipulate rate equations and analyse experimental kinetic data in chemical and biochemical applications;
• To relate reaction mechanism to rate laws and use kinetic data to draw mechanistic conclusions.
• Demonstrate basic skills in planning and executing practical work in Chemistry.
• Become familiar with and begin learning how to prepare procedural and chemical risk assessments.
• Perform safely basic experimental procedures such as titrations, synthesis, purification, crystallisation and analysis of organic and inorganic compounds.
• Use chemical apparatus correctly with care and confidence.
• Use volumetric glassware and balances in the correct manner and obtain accurate and precise results.
• Make careful observations of chemical reactions and explain them qualitatively including with balanced chemical reactions.
• Determine physical properties experimentally.
• Interpret basic spectroscopic data based upon the techniques NMR, IR and Mass spectrometry.

• Solve basic chemical problems.
• Work effectively alone or collaboratively to solve practical chemical problems;
• Develop IT skills and apply these to laboratory reports and data analysis.
• Organise and manage workload by ensuring appropriate engagement with and preparation for practical activities (pre-lab work).
• Clearly communicate scientific data in verbal and written form using standard chemistry language, methods and styles.

• Work effectively in a tutorial group to solve chemical problems;
• Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.
• Practical safety training is provided throughout the course during the laboratory sessions.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• A progress test is held in January for students to assess their own learning and performance to improve their examination technique. It is an opportunity for students to assimilate the work completed in the first term. Papers are returned to students with model answers so that they can learn from the experience.
• Pre-laboratory exercises to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the chemical concepts, safety information and practical procedures they will be following, prior to attending the laboratory.
• Post-lab assignments prepare students for written communication of practical findings. Report writing demonstrates a student's ability to analyse their data and present in a consistent and coherent format, consistent with standard chemistry reporting methods. Reports are formally or summatively assessed and returned with feedback.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Set work in preparation for tutorials. Set work in preparation for workshops.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.