General Chemistry

Course Number: 
CHEM&163
Course Credits: 
6.00
Course Description: 
A continuation of general chemistry including equilibrium in aqueous solutions, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, periodic properties of the elements, complexes, nuclear chemistry, and an introduction to industrial and organic chemistry. Laboratory work includes qualitative analysis. 4 lecture hours; 4 lab hours. Satisfies specified elective requirements for the AA degree.
Course Prerequisites: 
Prerequisites: A grade of "C-" or better in CHEM& 162.
Course Outcomes: 
  • Understand the common ion effect and define a buffer; solve problems involving buffers.
  • Understand acid-base titrations curves; calculate the pH at any point in a titration and select an appropriate indicator for the titration.
  • Solve equilibrium problems involving slightly soluble ionic compounds and complex ions.
  • Understand the concept of entropy and the factors that determine the entropy of a system.
  • Use the Second Law of Thermodynamics to predict if a process is spontaneous or nonspontaneous; calculate changes in enthalpy, entropy, and free energy.
  • Describe how a change in free energy is related to the position of equilibrium and the value of the equilibrium constant for a process; perform calculations involving these concepts.
  • Know the terms associated with electrochemical reactions and cells.
  • Describe the construction of a voltaic cell and write its cell diagram.
  • Calculate cell potential using standard reduction potentials and the Nernst equation.
  • Perform calculations involving cell potentials, changes in free energy, and equilibrium constants.
  • Describe the construction and chemistry of common batteries and fuel cells.
  • Predict the products of reactions carried out in electrolytic cells; apply the laws of electrolysis to calculate the amounts of products formed in these cells.
  • Understand and predict periodic trends for the properties of main-group and transition elements.
  • Describe the formation of coordination compounds and complex ions; predict the geometries and identify isomers of complexes.
  • Use Valence Bond and Crystal Field Theories to explain the properties of coordination compounds and complex ions.
  • Describe the different types of radiation and of radioactive decay; balance nuclear equations for natural decays and for artificial transmutations.
  • Solve problems involving the half-lives of radioactive decays.
  • Understand the health effects of radiation and the medical uses of radioactive isotopes.
  • Understand the origins of nuclear energy and perform calculations involving mass defects and nuclear binding energies.
  • Describe the components, operation, advantages and disadvantages of fission and fusion reactors.
  • Understand basic metallurgical processes and their role in the production of important metals.
  • Be familiar with the processes involved in the production of important industrial compounds and fertilizers.
  • Classify organic compounds; name and identify isomers of hydrocarbons; recognize important reactions of hydrocarbons.
  • Recognize addition and condensations polymers; identify and describe biological polymers.