CHEM& 121 - Introduction to Chemistry

• Differentiate between major chemical categories, including: states of matter; metals vs. nonmetals; ionic compounds vs. covalent compounds; solutes vs. solvents.
• Solve quantitative problems using discipline-specific tools, including: scientific units and metric conversion; stoichiometry and dimensional analysis; and solution concentration.
• Solve qualitative problems using thermodynamics and kinetics; chemical equilibrium and pH; radioactive decay principles.
• Sketch the atom in terms of the major subatomic particles, their location, masses and charges; explain the arrangement of the periodic table and periodic trends in terms of electron quantization.
• Recognize simple examples of oxidation-reduction and metathesis reactions; describe the pH behavior of household solutions, buffers, and physiologic fluids.
• Draw Lewis structures for simple molecules and polyatomic ions.
• Predict the shape, polarity, and solubility of simple molecules on the basis of VSEPR and intermolecular forces.
• Analyze data gathered by the safe use of laboratory glassware, equipment and reagents.
• Critique the precision, accuracy, and explanatory power of laboratory data.

1. Matter, Energy and Measurement
2. Atoms, Molecules and Ions
3. Chemical Reactions
4. Gases, Liquids and Solids
5. Solutions and Colloids
6. Reaction Rates and Equilibrium
7. Acids, Bases and Buffers