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CHEM131

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Principles of Chemistry

ChemistryScience, Tech, Engr & Math

Course Goals

The purpose of this course is to illustrate through classroom instruction and laboratory experiments some of the fundamental principles and laws governing general chemistry. The curriculum is designed to provide a chemistry foundation that prepares students for further careers including Nursing and Health Careers programs and assist students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Core Course Topics

  1. Matter, Energy, and Measurements

  2. Atoms, Atomic Structure, and the Periodic Table

  3. Chemical Bonds and Nomenclature

  4. Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry

  5. Properties of Gases and the Gas Laws

  6. Solutions, Concentration Units, and Intermolecular Forces

  7. Nuclear Chemistry

  8. Acids, Bases, and pH

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Associate the correct units with measurements of length, mass, volume, temperature, density, and heat.

Perform unit conversion and problem solving using the dimensional analysis method.

Identify the names of elements based on their elemental symbol.

Differentiate between elements, compounds, and mixtures.

Use the periodic table as a tool to explain and predict trends in atomic structure and properties.

Convert between the names and the chemical formulas of compounds and molecules.

Draw Lewis structure for atoms, molecules, and ions.

Determine the polarity of bonds.

Perform calculations using Avogadro’s number.

Balance chemical equations.

Use stoichiometry to calculate mass relationships in a chemical reaction.

Use the Gas Laws to calculate how changes in pressure, temperature, and/or volume affect an ideal gas.

Relate the nature and importance of intermolecular forces to characteristic physical properties.

Distinguish between solutes and solvents.

Characterize a solution as saturated, unsaturated, or supersaturated.

Calculate the concentration of solutions.

Distinguish electrolytes from non electrolytes.

Define the properties of acids and bases.

Calculate pH and pOH of solutions.

Perform titration calculations.

Distinguish among alpha, beta, and gamma radiation and the appropriate shielding for each.

Calculate the amount of radioisotope remaining after a given number of half-lives.