General Chemistry I

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. define atom, molecules and chemical reactions; 2. discuss the modern electronic theory of atoms; 3. write electronic configurations of elements on the periodic table; 4. rationalise the trends of atomic radii, ionisation energies, electronegativity of the elements, based on their position in the periodic table; 5. identify and balance oxidation–reduction equation and solve redox titration problems; 6. draw shapes of simple molecules and hybridised orbitals; 7. identify the characteristics of acids, bases and salts, and solve problems based on their quantitative relationship; 8. apply the principles of equilibrium to aqueous systems using LeChatelier’s principle to predict the effect of concentration, pressure and temperature changes on equilibrium mixtures; 9. analyse and perform calculations with the thermodynamic functions, enthalpy, entropy and free energy; and 10. determine rates of reactions and its dependence on concentration, time and temperature.

Atoms, molecules, elements and compounds, and chemical reactions. Modern electronic theory of atoms. Electronic configuration, periodicity and building up of the periodic table. Hybridisation and shapes of simple molecules. Valence forces; Structure of solids. Chemical equations and stoichiometry; chemical bonding and intermolecular forces, kinetic theory of matter. Elementary thermochemistry; rates of reaction, equilibrium and thermodynamics. Acids, bases and salts. Properties of gases. Redox reactions and introduction to electrochemistry. Radioactivity.