Chemistry 1

The following syllabus provides a general guide to the topics to be discussed: Atomic structure and bonding: electronic structure of atoms, quantum numbers, orbitals and energy levels, filling sequence, periodicity of atomic properties, octet ‘rule’, chemical bonds - ionic, covalent - energetics, H-bonds, Lewis structures, shapes of molecules, VSEPR theory, valence bond theory, hybridisation, resonance, molecular orbital theory of simple homonuclear diatomic molecules. Equilibrium: Haber process as example of the Law of mass action, equilibrium constants, Kc and Kp, Le Chatelier’s principle, reaction quotient, endo- and exo-thermic reactions. Acids/bases and aqueous equilibria: classical, Lowry-Brønsted, and Lewis definitions, pH of aqueous solutions, strengths of acids and bases - Ka and Kb, titration curves, buffers, extent of hydrolysis - weak acids/bases, solubility products. Introductory thermodynamics: Energy - different forms, kinetic and potential, heat and work, the First Law of Thermodynamics, conservation of energy, internal energy and enthalpy, Hess’ Law, state functions, standard states, calorimetry. Electrochemistry: redox reactions, half-cell reactions and balancing equations, oxidation states, Voltaic cells, electrodes, electrode potentials, electromotive force and the free energy of cell reactions. Advanced thermodynamics: entropy, Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics, free energy, equilibrium, spontaneous processes, equilibrium constants - calculations, extent of reaction. Organic structure, isomerism & reactivity: carbon hybridization, functional groups, nomenclature, 3D chemistry, conformations, isomerism, biological and synthetic polymers – for example, polyamides and polysaccharides. Laboratory: Exercises illustrating the simpler principles of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The apparatus used in the course is supplied by the Research School of Chemistry. Attendance at laboratory classes is compulsory. Honours Pathway Option (HPO) Students who take this option will undertake 9 additional lectures at a more advanced level. The HPO is designed for students with a strong interest in chemistry from school, Science Summer School, Olympiad or equivalent. It is expected that all students in the PhB, or Honours degree programs enrolled in CHEM1101 will complete the HPO.