Related Course/s:

Aims & Objectives:

During the unit we aim:

• To provide an introduction to the basic concepts of chemistry necessary for environmental and biotechnology related studies
• To provide an understanding of the basic structure of elements and compounds and how this determines their interaction with each other.
• To study the various reactions elements and compounds undergo.
• To establish a thorough understanding of the quantitative aspects of chemical reactions.
• To study how useful electrical energy can be obtained from chemical reactions.
• To introduce basic practical skills for the handling and analysis of chemicals.
• To establish the importance of chemical safety and precautions in the chemical laboratory and other hazardous environments.

Students will gain the following knowledge in the areas of:

• Demonstrate the ability to name and write the symbols of elements, and the names and formulae of various molecular and ionic compounds.
• Use chemical equations to calculate relative amounts of reactants and products and express the result in various forms, i.e. mass or mole of a reactant or product, % purity of product, identify the limiting and excess reagents.
• Perform calculations associated with practical work, e.g. dilutions, back-titrations etc.
• Perform calculations with aqueous and gaseous species in terms of volumes and pressures, using equations based around the Ideal Gas Law.

Equilibria:

• Express the equilibrium constant in terms of the equilibrium concentration of products and reactants and their respective stoichiometric coefficients for both homogenous and heterogeneous equilibria.
• Show the relationship between Kp and Kc and calculate the equilibrium constant given equilibrium concentration data.
• State the relationship between the reaction quotient and equilibrium constant and predict the direction a reaction will proceed to reach equilibrium.
• Show how changing concentration, volume, pressure, or temperature will shift the reaction so that equilibrium will be maintained using Le Chatelier’s Principle.
• State the effect of a catalyst has on equilibrium concentrations.

• Define an acid or base according to the Lowry-Brönsted scheme and write the conjugate of a given acid or base and be able to identify a weak and a strong acid or base.
• Understand the concept of pH and calculate the pH of a strong acid or base of given concentration.
• Show and be able to interconvert between Ka, Kb, pKa and pKb.
• Explain how a buffer works and be able to calculate the pH of a buffer.
• Understand how an acid/base indicator works and reasoning behind the choice of an indicator for a given titration.
• Predict which direction pH will change on addition of different types of chemicals and understand the common ion effect on a given system.
• Predict, using calculations, the solubility of sparingly soluble salts in aqueous solution and be familiar with the factors that increase or decrease the solubility in aqueous solution.
• Understand the effect of complex ions on equilibria and solubility.

Teaching Methods:

Assessment:

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas.

• Have an appreciation of areas of uncertainty within a body of knowledge.
• Have pertinent skills and abilities.
• Display attitudes appropriate to the professional area.
• Have a sense of social responsibility for knowledge and its application.
• Understand the relationship between theory and practice.

Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations.

• Have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Have the ability to effectively communicate using a range of media and in varied contexts
• Have the ability to operate locally, nationally and internationally

Are adaptable and manage change.

• Are self-motivated
• Have multifaceted problem solving skills
• Have a general capacity for flexibility and curiosity

Are aware of environments in which they will be contributing.

• Have a broad understanding of the role of technology in our society
• Are culturally sensitive and have respect for multiple points of view
• Are able to evaluate the economic, social and environmental impact of their decisions
• Are able to make a balanced decision taking into account all of these factors
• Respect a plurality of viewpoints
  

Content:

• Elementary chemistry: structure of atom, mole concept, formulae, naming, introduction to Periodic Table and simple calculations.
• Writing and balancing molecular, ionic and redox equations.
• Stoichiometry: calculations covering all types of chemical reactions with amounts of reactants and products expressed as mass, mole, concentration and volumes of gases. Review of gas laws and relevant calculations. Properties of gases in solution.
• Equilibria: quantitative and qualitative aspects of gaseous, heterogeneous, acid-base, solubility and complex-ion equilibria.
• Major emphasis on properties of acids and bases and pH measurement.
• Practical work covers measurement and errors, a study of chemical reactions and volumetric analyses.
• Safety in the laboratory and application to potentially hazardous environments.
  

Reading Materials:

• Detailed Unit Description and Information.
• Academic Staff contact details.
• Pre-recorded lecture material (lecture notes and video).
• Animated Problem Solving Examples.
• HES1490 Practical Manual.
• HES1490 Lab Reference Manual (Safety and Technique Information).
• Study Booklet for Tutorial and Lecture Problems.
• Chemistry Topic Discussion Boards.
• A Library tour video.
• General Help sheets and Unit Information.
• Troubleshooting Guide and Discussion Boards.

Textbooks: