AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The 2nd module of the General and Inorganic Chemistry Course aims to introduce the student to the experimental approach in the chemical laboratory. This includes the learning of basic laboratory operations, awareness of errors related to experimental measurements, critical treatment and interpretation of the results obtained. Moreover, it allows the student to integrate and put into practice some of the basic concepts developed in the lessons of the 1st Module of General and Inorganic Chemistry Course.

PREREQUISITES

This is the first chemistry course, so it is not necessary to have any prerequisetes at university level. The basic knowledge of mathematics and physics acquired at high school  are sufficient to understand the addressed topics. 

TEACHING METHODS

The 2nd module of the General and Inorganic Chemistry course includes classroom lectures and practical sessions. The laboratory activity concerns topics closely related to those addressed in the 1st module with the aim to practice some of the basic concepts developed.

In detail, the following activities will be done:

1. Determination of the KNO3 solubility curve

2. Fractional crystallization of NaCl and KNO3

3. Preparation of BaCl2 * 2H2O

4. Redox reactions and electrochemical series, precipitation reactions, acid-base reactions

5. Preparation of CuSO4 * 5H2O

6. Determination of the AgCl Kps

The teaching material is available to students on the “Aula Web”.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Measurable properties and errors. Characteristics of the measuring instruments: sensitivity and readiness. Measurement uncertainty: random and systematic errors. Absolute and relative error. Significant digits and error propagation. Measurement tools and practical procedures.

Characteristics of the gaseous state. Perfect gases: classical laws and equation of state. Gas mixtures and Dalton's law on partial pressures. Gases in chemical reactions. Phase transitions and P-T phase diagrams. Concentrations of solutions. Notes on the solubilization process. Degree of dissolution. Solution vapor pressure: Raoult's law. Notes on fractional distillation. Colligative properties of solutions of non-electrolytes, of strong and weak electrolytes. Practical applications. Methods for determining the molecular mass.

Basic laboratory procedures. Mass measurements: technical and analytical balance. Volume measurements. Phase separation techniques: crystallization, fractional crystallization, recrystallization, decantation and filtration (by gravity and with Buchner funnel).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

“Stechiometria per la chimica generale”, P. Michelin Lausarot  G. A. Vaglio – Piccin Nuova Libraria – Padova

Teaching material provided by the teacher.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DIEGO COLOMBARA (President)

SERENA DE NEGRI (President)

SIMONA DELSANTE (President)

GABRIELE CACCIAMANI

ANNA MARIA CARDINALE

MAURO GIOVANNINI

DANIELE MACCIO'

NADIA PARODI

PAOLA RIANI

PAVLO SOLOKHA

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 23rd,  2019. See the timetable at: http://www.chimica.unige.it/didattica/orari_CTC

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam takes place together with that of the 1st Module. Questions on the topics addressed during the lectures are proposed both in the written test and in the oral discussion. Furthermore, the laboratory reports can be a starting point for discussion and further evaluation (see section "Assessment Methods").

ASSESSMENT METHODS

After each laboratory session, students have to complete a guided report, which contains questions and suggestions for reflection. This is corrected by the teaching staff and discussed with the students who can then proceed to a self-evaluation of the work carried out.