Fundamentals of Chemistry

Fundamentals of Chemistry

Simona Ranieri 1 semester, 1 Year, 9 credits, Subjects
Fundamentals of Chemistry

 

1 YEAR 1 semester 9 CFU
Prof. Roberto Paolesse 2019-20 to 2020-21
2021-22
PAOLESSE ROBERTO – LVOVA LARISA 2021-22
LVOVA LARISA

since 2022-23
 

larisa.lvova@uniroma2.it

Code: 8037945
SSD: CHIM/07

Scheda di Insegnamento: Fundamentals of Chemistry – LVOVA 1.0 (2021-2025)

updated 2026-27 ScIns_2026_27_ES_FCH__LLvova

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
To provide students with basic chemical skills, in order to facilitate the understanding of the subsequent class of the course. To provide a solid basic knowledge of chemistry, preparatory to the understanding of a wide range of phenomena. To provide the tools for a proper interpretation of matter and its transformations, both at a microscopic (atomic/molecular) and macroscopic (phenomenological) level.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
At the end of the lectures, the student must have acquired the knowledge necessary to understand and apply general chemistry concepts, in particular concerning reactivity and structure of matter in its different states of aggregation, with specific regard to relevant issues of Engineering Science. The acquired skills will be employed by the student to carry out more advanced studies.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
At the end of the teaching period the student must have matured the ability to apply the theory of basic chemistry to the resolution of exercises and problems, with specific reference to engegneering science.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
Judgment skills are developed through individual or group works. The student will have to self-evaluate (self assessment-test) and compare with colleagues.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
At the end of the teaching sessions the student will be able to use a rigorous chemical language, both in written and oral form, together with the use of graphic and formal languages to represent the descriptive models of the matter.
Inoltre lo studente avrà la possibilità di dimostrare di saper operare efficacemente nel gruppo di pari utilizzando supporti informatici per raccogliere e divulgare informazioni.
In addition, the student will have the opportunity to demonstrate that he/she can work effectively in the peer group using IT support to collect and disseminate information.

LEARNING SKILLS:
At the end of the teaching sessions, the student will be able to understand and predict the outcome of the most common inorganic reactions, as well as correlate structure-reactivity properties of the fundamental inorganic compounds and of selected simple organic molecules

COURSE SYLLABUS

  • Atomic Theory. Sub-atomic particles. Isotopes. Heisenberg principle, Schrödinger wave function and the structure of the hydrogen atom. Quantum Theory. Particles and waves. Quantum numbers. Atomic orbitals and their energetic levels. Aufbau. Pauli and Hund principles. Electronic structures of atoms. 
  • The periodic system and periodic properties.
  • Stoichiometry problems and chemical calculations as a support to the understanding and deepening of the concepts exposed.
  • Chemical bonds. Ionic and covalent bonds. Valence bond theory: hybridization and resonance. Simple homo- and heteronuclear molecular structures. Determination of the structure of simple polyatomic molecules (most common acids and bases). Oxidation number. Length, angle and energy of a chemical bond. Introduction to MO theory. Metallic bond. Intermolecular forces: Dipolar interactions. Hydrogen bond: nature and effect on the structure of some condensed phases.
  • Lewis acid-base theory.
  • The gaseous state. Ideal gas laws. Ideal gas equation. Kinetic theory of gases. Dalton law. Real gases, van der Waals equation.
  • Thermodynamic principles and applications.
  • Chemical equilibrium. Free energy and equilibrium constants (Kp, Kc, Kx, Kn) relationships. Chemical equilibria in homogeneous and heterogeneous phases.
  • Chemical kinetics. Arrhenius equation. The role of catalysts in chemical reactions. 
  • Physical equilibrium. Concept of vapor pressure and Clapeyron’s law. State diagrams (H2O, CO2). Raoult’s law. Ideal and non-ideal solutions. Colligative properties.
  • Acid-base theories and their applications. pH definition. Auto-ionization of water. Acid and base strength. Structure and strength of acids and bases. Acid-base behavior of salts. Buffer solutions.
  • Solubility equilibria. Low soluble salts and solubility equilibria. Solution enthalpy and hydration energy of ions and their relationships with solubility of ionic compounds.
  • Redox reactions. Electrode potentials and electromotive force of a galvanic cell. Standard potentials. Nernst law. Electrolysis: Faraday law.
  • Nuclear Chemistry (notes). 
  • Elements of Organic Chemistry. General chemical-physical and reactivity properties of the main classes of organic compounds.