General Chemistry

On completion of this course, students will be able to understand the basic principles, laws and theories of general chemistry; explain the chemical behaviour of the most common elements and compounds, so as to be able to predict the products of the main chemical reactions that they are likely to encounter in their subsequent studies and in everyday life; and improve their problem-solving skills. In addition, they will have acquired an important addition to their general education. Stoichiometry: gas law, concept of the mole, limiting reagent, yield. Structure of the atom: electronic configuration, degree of oxidation. Chemical compounds: nomenclature, classes of compounds. Chemical reactions: acid-base, precipitation, substitution, redox; covalent bonding: hybridisation, three-dimensional form, polarity. Intermolecular attractions: Van der Waals forces, hydrogen bridge, physical properties. Laboratory sessions are planned and compulsory. This course cannot contribute to a training programme.