TOPICS

Week

Starting

Topic

Text: Chapters

1

Sept. 1

 

Stoichiometry and Gases

3, 10

2

Sept. 8

 

Greenhouse Gases: Structure of the Atom

2,  6 (6.1-3), Module

3

Sept. 15

 

Greenhouse Gases: Lewis Structures

8, Module

4

Sept. 22

Greenhouse Gases: Molecular Shapes

 

9: (1-3) Module

 

 

Exam I

 

 

5

Sept. 29

Chemical Equilibrium

15

 

6

Oct. 6

 

Acid/Base Equilibria

16

7

Oct. 13

Acid/Base Equilibria and Buffers

16, 17

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Semester Recess – October 18-26

 

 

8

Oct. 27

Buffers and Titrations

 

17

 

 

Exam II

 

 

9

Nov. 3

Thermochemistry

5

 

10

Nov. 10

 

Chemical Thermodynamics

19

11

Nov. 17

Electronic Structure, Periodic Properties

 

6

12

Nov. 24

Bonding

 

9

 

 

Exam III

 

 

13

Dec. 1

 

Intermolecular Interactions

11

14

Dec. 8

 

Properties of Solutions

13

 

 

Final Exam: See Schedule above

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEMISTRY 129 Syllabus – Fall 2008

 

Overview – Chemistry 129 is an introduction to college level chemistry.  During the semester basic chemical principles that are generally introduced in high school chemistry will be covered in considerable depth.  Major areas to be covered include stoichiometric relationships, gas laws, atomic structure and molecular structures, chemical bonding, physical properties of solids, liquids, and solutions, energy changes in chemical reactions, thermodynamics, gas-phase equilibrium, and aqueous acid/base equilibrium. 

Texts and Supplies:

(i)      Chemistry the Central Science, 11ed.  Brown, LeMay, Bursten and Murphy.

 

(ii)     Chemistry 129 Lab Manual (includes laboratory glasses) to be obtained in the laboratory.

 

(iii)    Laboratory notebook. (bound) from the bookstore.

 

(iv)    Greenhouse Gases Module (provided in class).

 

If you have not already skimmed through your text, do so now.  Try to get a general idea of the order in which topics are presented, as well as a feeling for how you can preview, read, and review each chapter.  Each chapter has numerous problems at the end; those not assigned for problem sets can be used to test your knowledge of the material in the chapter.

Laboratory:  Laboratory work is an integral and required part of Chemistry 129.  The laboratory program is tied closely to the class work, and consequently, part of a class period each week may be devoted to the week’s experiment.

You will be assigned a drawer with equipment the first period. You also receive a key for the drawer that you will keep until the end of the semester. A safety orientation is also part of the first meeting.  Twelve experiments are included in the lab program; the lab schedule is given in the attached general schedule.  You will receive the laboratory manual during your first class period.  You must come to lab prepared by reading the experiment description and having your lab notebook prepared, so that you will know how you will carry out the experiment and what sort of information you will need to record.  It is a good idea to read through the questions at the end of the lab report form as well.

There are few valid reasons for missing a lab.  If you must miss a lab, consult your lab instructor about special arrangements required for you to make up the lab.  For reasons of safety and interference with other classes using the same facilities, you are not free to use the lab space any time you please.

 

Class Meetings:  The attached schedule describes the order of topics and gives general reading assignments for the course.  More detailed outlines and problem assignments will be provided in class. Attendance of the class meetings is essential since you will be working in groups on several projects. Missing several class periods can lead to an F for the class.

 

Assignments:  Because chemistry is a quantitative science, problem assignments are an integral part of the course, and a substantial fraction of your study time should be devoted to working the assigned problems.  Problem sets from your text will be assigned weekly, and additional problems from other sources may also be assigned. Problem sets will be collected and graded; in most cases, only selected, representative problems will be selected for grading.  Problems will be graded not just for the final correct answer, but also for the method and completeness of the solution.  Naturally, you can profit most from homework assignments by working the problems as thoroughly as possible before consulting the answer given in the back of the book.  Working with others on homework assignments is often helpful and is encouraged.  You may want to organize a small study group (3-4) among your dorm mates or classmates.  However, you must remember that the majority of your grade will be determined by your ability to solve problems on your own during exams.

Assignments must be handed in on time.  Please staple the pages of each problem set together and use standard size, 8 1/2 by 11 paper.  A stapler is provided in the lecture hall.  If you cannot staple them, use a paper clip.  Please do not bend over the edges of one corner, fold the paper in half, or hand them in loose; such homework assignments run a much higher risk of getting lost, misplaced, or separated.

Examinations:  Three full period examinations, weekly quizzes, and a comprehensive final exam will be given.  No provisions for make-up of examinations will be made, except under extraordinary circumstances.  The approximate exam dates are given below.  Unless something unusual happens, the exams will be given within one or at most two lecture periods of the projected date.

                        Exam I                        Week of Sept. 22

                        Exam II                      Week of Oct. 27

                        Exam III                     Week of Nov. 24

 

Each exam will cover a specified group of chapters.  All material in those chapters, unless specifically excluded by your instructor, should be studied and understood prior to the exam, even material not discussed completely in the lecture.  Exams will consist of problems (including one or two questions that closely resemble homework problems), definitions, and discussions of concepts.  Exam format depends on the instructor’s preference, but an effort will be made to have one or two problems on each exam that require an ingenious application of the chemical principles discussed in lecture.

Quizzes:  Weekly short (10-15 min.) quizzes will be scheduled throughout the semester.

General Comments on Problem Sets, Exams, and Quizzes:  First, always show your reasoning.  Simply stating the answers is not sufficient.  For discussion-type problems, tell why your answer is correct.  For quantitative problems, show your math in reasonable detail.  A correct answer that does not show the logic leading to it will not receive any credit.  These principles apply to examinations, quizzes, and problem sets.  Shortly after each problem set is due or a test is graded, an answer key will be posted near your instructor’s office or put on reserve in the library.  Please consult it frequently.  Exams and quizzes must reflect your own work, but for problem sets, feel free to consult anyone willing to give you assistance, including instructors, mentors, upper-class students, tutors or classmates.  However, copying the solutions from an answer key for the homework assignments is plagiarism and therefore not acceptable.

 

 

 

Grades:  The final grade in the course will be computed on the following basis:

Laboratory…………………………  25%

Homework and quizzes……………  20%

Three exams………………………..  30%

Final exam………………………….  25%

 

Calculators:  Hand-held calculators are permitted during exams and quizzes.  It is a good idea to bring your calculators to all classes, not just those for which quizzes or exams are scheduled.  You should make sure that yours is fully charged and operational before coming to class, or you may find yourself doing a lot of math longhand.  Your calculator should have the four basic functions

(+, –, ´, ¸), plus p, log, ln (natural log), 10x (inverse log), ex (inverse ln), 1/x, yx, and  keys.  One or two memory storage keys are also helpful.  Make sure that your calculator is capable of handling scientific notation.

A good calculator is a very useful tool for quantitative problem solving.  However, a calculator will not solve problems for you.  When working quantitative problems, you should first set up the problem using symbols and units, insert corresponding numerical values in the expressions, and then (and only then) reach for the calculator.

Help!

Your Instructor.  Your instructor in the course has primary responsibility for all aspects of the class.  The principal instructional methods in this course include class meetings, laboratory sessions, and individual reading and study of the text and other course materials.  These activities should occupy the majority of the time you devote to this course.  If you need additional help, seek out your instructor for assistance and for specific suggestions on the best strategies for optimizing your studying.  If possible, arrange to talk to your instructor during posted office hours.  If that is not possible, set up an appointment after class—or via e-mail or telephone.

Mentors.  Each lecture section also has an assigned upper-class mentor, who will attend all classes and will meet at least once a week at a designated time (or times) with students who desire an additional focused study session.  The mentor groups will discuss the material covered in class and homework assignments.  Participation in the mentor group is recommended but not required.  The best way to improve student performance in the course is to attend the mentor groups.

Tutors.  Individual tutors are available.  See Minna Mahlab in the Science Learning Center.

 

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

Section   Instructor  E-Mail         Place               Time                            Exam Date

1

Sharpe

sharpe

S2510

MWF 10-11:50

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 9:00 am

2

Levandoski

levandos

S2510

MWF 8-8:50

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2:00 pm

3

Jin

jinjin

S2510

MWF 9-10:50

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 9:00 am

 

LABORATORY SCHEDULE – Fall 2008

       Week                                  Experiment________     

              

#          Starting           #          Points              Title________________________________

1          Sept. 1             1          15                    (Introduction, Safety Discussion/Video),

Reaction of Silver Ion with Copper

 

2          Sept. 8             2          15                    How Can You Determine the Molar Mass of

a Gas?

 

3          Sept. 15           3          15                    Which Gases Are Greenhouse Gases?

 

4          Sept. 22           4          15                    IR Spectroscopy of Greenhouse Gases

 

5          Sept. 29           5          15                    Synthesis of Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

 

6          October 6        6          15                    Preparation of HCl and NaOH Solutions;

Ratio Titrations

 

7          October 13      7          15                    Standardization of HCl and NaOH Solutions

 

Laboratory Notebook           10

will be collected

 

Fall Semester Recess – October 18-26

 

8          October 27      8          20                    Analysis of a Soda Ash Unknown by

Titration

9          Nov. 3             9                                  Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate Design Lab

 

10        Nov. 10           9          40                    Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate Design Lab

 

11        Nov. 17           10        15                    The Goldschmidt Reaction

 

12        Nov. 24           11        15                    Qualitative Analysis Utilizing Periodic

Properties: Analysis of Knowns

 

13        Dec. 1              11        15                    Qualitative Analysis Utilizing Periodic

Properties: Identification of Unknowns

 

14        Dec. 8              12        15                    Soap Laboratory, Checkout

 

Laboratory Notebook           15

will be collected