Course Information

Materials

  • TEXT:
    Open Learning Initiative General Chemistry I (FREE – Set up an account. Use this course key: yee-f22. See help signing up.)
  • Chem 1A Lab Experiments
  • Safety goggles or safety glasses
  • Calculator

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Course Description

  • This course consists of lecture and lab. Hands-on work and group work will be used to help you learn and understand chemistry. Your learning depends on you; you are responsible for your learning. This course is fast-paced and covers a lot of material. Furthermore, each successive topic builds upon previous topics. In other words, you have to learn and understand topics covered at the beginning of the course to learn and understand topics covered later in the course. To maximize your learning of chemistry, study the assigned sections in each chapter and try working questions/problems at the end of each chapter prior to each class. This practice allows you to focus on important points in class discussions and ask questions over material you don’t understand. After each class, review your notes and the assigned chapter and try working more questions/problems. When questions arise, please ask! I am available during office hours or by appointment. In addition, the ACCESS and MESA Programs offer study sessions and tutoring for related problem-solving practice.
  • Chem 1A is a 5 unit course. You are expected to work/study/practice 15 hours per week (9 hours for lecture, 6 hours for lab) in this class.

Course Objectives/Skills

  1. Scientific measurement – represent uncertainty in measurement and calculations using sig figs, apply dimensional analysis (factor-label method) in conversions and calculations.
  2. Classify substances as elements, compounds, mixtures. Relate substance type to properties. Use properties to identify substances and separate mixtures.
  3. Write chemical formulas of ionic and molecular compounds. Determine mole ratio of elements in compounds. Name ionic and molecular compounds.
  4. Perform mole-mass calculations with compounds and reactions. Determine chemical formula from elemental analysis (% composition). Determine masses of reactants/product from mass of products/reactants in chemical reaction.
  5. Double replacement reactions 1: balancing precipitation reactions, applying solubility table, write net ionic equations to predict whether a reaction occurs, perform mole-mass and mole ratio calculations (gravimetric)
  6. Double replacement reactions 2: balancing acid-base and gas forming reactions, identifying strong and weak acids, write net ionic equations to predict whether a reaction occurs, perform C-V-mole and mole ratio calculations (volumetric)
  7. Single replacement reactions: balancing, apply Activity Series, write net ionic equations to predict whether a reaction occurs, perform mole-mass and mole ratio calculations
  8. Energy and heat 1: predict heat in a physical heat transfer. Apply heat equations (q = mΔT, heat gained = heat lost)
  9. Energy and heat 2: predict heat and work in a chemical reaction and chemical heat transfer. Apply using Hess’ law.
  10. Light and color: relate EM radiation properties (wavelength, frequency, energy). Describe how light is produced with energy level diagrams. Understand quantization.
  11. Light and atomic structure: apply quantum numbers to write electron configuration of atoms, identify valence electrons, draw Lewis dot symbols. Draw Lewis structures, identify polar bonds, distinguish isomers, draw skeletal structures.
  12. Apply VSEPR theory to determine shape. Determine polarity from shape. Determine IM forces from polarity.
  13. States of matter – gases: relate kinetic theory of gases to gas variables (P, V, T, and n). Apply ideal gas law.
  14. States of matter – liquids and solids: relate liquid and solid types to chemical forces and properties. Use phase diagrams.
  15. Apply chemistry lab skills, which include the proper use and operation of lab chemicals, equipment, instruments, lab techniques, and safety procedures, and critical thinking skills to experiments.