Catalogo dei Corsi di studio

General expected learning outcomes.
The course aims to provide the student with a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts of chemistry, with particular reference to the chemistry of the elements, which will be the cultural heritage of the graduate in CTF. It deals with the indispensable topics for a correct understanding of matter and its transformations. On this basis it will be possible to found the skills that the student will have the opportunity to acquire in the courses of the following years. The course includes numerical exercises that make the student able to face the problems he/she will encounter in the various areas of chemistry, providing the essential tools for their analysis.

Specific expected learning outcomes.
Knowledge and understanding.
The student will have the opportunity to learn about general chemical structures and models, master the concepts underlying the properties and reactivity of matter, elements and chemical compounds, and understand the problems related to stoichiometry. He/she therefore knows the basic principles of general chemistry starting from the atomic structure, the periodic table and the chemical bond, up to chemical reactions (qualitative and quantitative aspects) with elements of kinetics and chemical thermodynamics and description of the aggregation states of matter. He/she is able to describe the equilibria (heterogeneous and homogeneous) and the fundamentals of electrochemistry. He/she will also have acquired a basic knowledge of the properties of the elements and their compounds.

Applying knowledge and understanding.
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to correlate the various topics developed in the program by relating the properties of matter with the properties of atoms and molecules. He/she will also become familiar with the correct and appropriate application of calculation tools, using the disciplinary methods of investigation, in order to solve application questions.

Making judgements.
The organization of the relevant exercises about the topics covered in the lectures will offer the student the opportunity to put to the test the knowledge acquired in relation to the various themes proposed. This allows to develop the ability to apply the concepts studied to practical cases and to critically evaluate the outcome and the method used in the procedures adopted.

Communication skills.
In addition to providing basic knowledge, the course aims to make the student acquire mastery of language and appropriate use of chemical terminology and scientific method, essential for communicating in the national and international scientific context. To this end, ample space is dedicated to informal interventions and discussions during the lessons and to the oral exam.

Learning skills.
The stimulus to use a correct scientific formalism and to formulate logically consistent deductions starting from the concepts and principles that underlie chemical science constitute a solid training towards cultural growth in the autonomy of future studies and professional activities.

Programme

Introductory notions. Subject of chemical research. Chemical phenomena. Basic laws of chemistry. Elementary particles, Proton, Neutron, Electron, Atomic number, Mass number, Symbols and chemical notation. Mole. Atomic theory. Atoms and their properties. Atomic mass. Avogadro number. Molecules and molecular weight. Types of chemical compounds and their nomenclature. Chemical reactions, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, conservation of mass and charge, balancing of a chemical reaction, stoichiometric calculations, balance of oxidation-reduction reactions. Numerical applications.
Atomic structure. Photoelectric effect. Plank hypothesis. Atomic spectra. Bohr model. De Broglie hypothesis, Wave model of the hydrogen atom. Quantum numbers and atomic orbitals, Electronic spin, Pauli exclusion principle, Electronic configuration of polyelectronic atoms. Periodic table. Metals and non-metals. Chemical bond: concept of valence. The different types of bonds and their properties: order, energy, bond distance, dipolar moment. Valence bond theory and molecular orbitals. σ and π bonds. Hybrid orbitals, resonance. Molecular geometry, Valence shell electronic pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, Electronegativity, Polar molecules. Intermolecular bonds. 30 hours

Aggregation states and phase transitions. Aeriform, liquid and solid state. State diagrams. Solutions and their colligative properties. Equilibrium between phases and phase rules. Le Chatelier's principle. Overview of thermodynamics. The concept of chemical equilibrium. Principles of thermodynamics. Some thermodynamic functions. Termochemistry. Reactions and chemical equilibria. Thermodynamic criteria for spontaneity and equilibrium in chemical transformations. Equilibrium constant and Van’t Hoff laws. Factors that influence the position of equilibrium. Numerical applications. 30 hours
Electrolytic dissociation. Electrolytes and their properties in solution. Acids and bases. Definition and theories on acid-base equilibria. Relations between molecular structure and acid-base properties. Acid-base equilibria in aqueous solutions. Titrations. Indicators. Solubility. Solubility equilibria and factors that influence them. Electrochemistry. Redox reactions. Galvanic cells and semielements. Normal potentials, electromotive force, Nernst equation. Electrolysis and Faraday laws. Chemical kinetics. Rate, order, molecularity of a reaction, kinetic constant and its dependence on temperature. Arrhenius equation, activation energy. Notes on the theory of collisions. Catalysis. Overview of inorganic chemistry. Systematic nomenclature. Elements of the main groups and their compounds. Numerical applications. 30 hours
The teacher makes available on the course website the complementary documents to the teaching material displayed during the lessons so as to allow students to have a precise idea on the subject matter and degree of detail.

Adopted texts

main texts:
M. Schiavello, L. Palmisano “Fondamenti di Chimica” EdiSES
F. Cacace, U. Croatto “Istituzioni di Chimica” La Sapienza Editrice
M. Speranza “Chimica Generale e Inorganica” EdiErmes
J. C. Kotz, P. M. Treichel, J. R. Townsend “Chimica” EdiSES
Whitten, Davis, Peck, Stanley “Chimica, Piccin
Zanello, Gobetto, Zanoni “Conoscere la Chimica” Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
F. Cacace, M. Schiavello “Stechiometria” Bulzoni Editore
P. Michelin Lausarot, G.A. Vaglio “Fondamenti di stechiometria, Piccin

Prerequisites

Although it is not mandatory, it is important to possess the preliminary knowledge of the following subjects: 1) Fundamental concepts of elementary algebra,use of powers and logarithms, methods for solving first and second degree equations and systems of linear equations. 2) Elements of mathematical analysis (limits, derivatives, integrals, functions) 3) Elements of physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism).

Study modes

The course consists of theoretical lessons in the classroom that include the related insights, as well as the resolution of numerical problems. The student can find on the classroom platform, after registering for the course through the provided code, the slides and the teaching material (exam program, recommended texts) useful for the preparation of the exam. The slides available on Classroom are just a guide to exam topics, but they do not replace the study of the recommended texts and the lectures given by the teacher in the classroom.

Frequency modes

Attendance to theoretical lessons and course exercises takes place in the classroom and simultaneously even remotely.

Exam modes

The purpose of the exam is to verify the level of understanding and deepening on the subject exposed during the course. It also intends to evaluate the student's reasoning skills and the ability to synthesize the topics carried out in the vision of an organic framework of the subject. The exam consists of a written test of resolution of numerical exercises after which, a few days later, one has the oral test. The exams take place during the exam periods provided for by the university's teaching regulations.

Exam reservation date start	Exam reservation date end	Exam date
25/01/2022	05/02/2022	11/02/2022
20/03/2022	05/04/2022	15/04/2022
20/05/2022	14/06/2022	15/06/2022
25/06/2022	05/07/2022	11/07/2022
25/08/2022	06/09/2022	16/09/2022
15/10/2022	30/10/2022	11/11/2022
01/12/2022	06/01/2023	10/01/2023