Catalog 2015-2016 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
Catalog 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CHEM& 161 General Chemistry with Lab I

5 credits
First in a three-course chemistry sequence for science and engineering students. This course introduces fundamentals of chemistry, including matter and measurement, the structure of atoms, periodicity and the electron structure of atoms, ionic and covalent bonding, mass relationships, and chemical reactions. Includes laboratory investigation of these topics.

Prerequisites: One year of high school chemistry or CHEM& 121 , and concurrent enrollment in MATH& 141  or placement into MATH& 142 .
Student Outcomes/Competencies:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Identify the components and limitations of the scientific method
  • Recognize differences between matter and energy, and heat and temperature
  • Use mathematical methods for solving problems, such as dimensional analysis, ratios and proportions, and algebraic equations
  • Describe the general structure of an element
  • Identify the atomic number, mass number, and atomic weight of an element
  • Calculate the atomic weight of an element
  • Explain and identify isotopes of elements
  • Distinguish between physical and chemical properties of an element, compound, and mixture
  • Identify the names of elements, ions, polyatomic ions, and molecules
  • Define electromagnetic radiation in terms of frequency, wavelength, and speed
  • Contrast wave and particulate properties of light and electrons
  • Use the quantum mechanical model of the atom to determine probable electron locations around an element
  • Relate the concepts of energy levels, shells, subshells, and orbitals to one another
  • Classify elements according to groups and periods on the periodic table
  • Use the periodic chart to predict trends in the radii of atoms and ions, ionization energies, electron affinities, and atomic properties
  • Compare the differences between covalent, ionic, and metallic bonds
  • Write Lewis dot structures for atoms, ions, and molecules
  • Use resonance structures to predict alternative bonding potentials in molecules and determine the most probable resonance structure by calculating formal charges
  • Predict whether a compound is ionic or covalent using electronegativities
  • Apply Valence-Shell Electron-Repulsion Pair (VESPR) methodology to predict the shape of molecules and polyatomic ions
  • Balance and classify chemical equations
  • Apply the scientific method to laboratory experimentation
  • Determine the densities of known and unknown substances
  • Find the molar masses and number of moles of a chemical substance
  • Calculate empirical and molecular formulas from percent composition
  • Use chemical equations to calculate stoichiometric relationships
  • Apply the concept of a limiting reactant in stoichiometric relationships
  • Prepare solutions of varying concentrations and properties
  • Identify common acids and bases
  • Compose a laboratory manual detailing all laboratory experiments