Introduction to Chemistry

Week One: Introductions with an overview of scientific methods, scientific notation, measurements, units and unit conversions, using proper significant figures to indicate precision, general concepts in matter and energy including definitions of atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds, chemical formula stoichiometry, basic layout of the periodic table, endothermic and exothermic reactions, Coulomb’s law, and heat capacity.

Week Two: More study of atomic and molecular structure, information on the periodic table including some periodic trends, the subatomic particles most critical to chemical reaction and calculations, ions, isotopes, atomic and molecular mass, moles, introduction to ionic and covalent bonding concepts, and nomenclature including some polyatomic ions.

Week Three: Introduction to chemical composition calculations (compound stoichiometry); introduction to chemical reaction equations, including identifying and balancing simple acid-base, redox, dissolution, and precipitation reactions; more practice with gram/mole calculations.

Week Four: Reaction calculations, including limiting reagent, yield, and enthalpy changes; practice writing and balancing chemical reaction equations; stoichiometry practice and review. Work on writing assignment.

Week Five: No new topics this week. Complete mid-term exam and peer review process on writing assignment.

Week Six: Introduction to light, Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, atomic orbitals, electron configurations, valence versus core electrons, more information about periodicity.

Week Seven: Introduction to chemical bonding concepts including sigma and pi bonds, Lewis dot structures, resonance, formal charge, hybridization of the main group elements, introduction to molecular shapes.

Week Eight: Introduction to intermolecular forces, states of matter, phase changes and phase diagrams, ideal gas laws, kinetic molecular theory of gases, properties of solids and liquids.

Week Nine: Review solutions, review polarity, electrolytes, concentration units including molarity and mass percent, solubility, solubility product constant, and dilutions. Complete final exam.