To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course
The Chemistry course provides the basic concepts of inorganic chemistry in preparation for the subsequent organic chemistry study. The main aims of the course are to:
• develop, in the students, the proper chemical knowledge and property of language suitable to handle chemical problems with a scientific approach;
• provide a description of the structure of atoms, of the chemical bonds and of the molecules that lead to the formation of inorganic compounds and that explain their physical-chemical properties;
• illustrate the interactions between atoms and between molecules, to comprehend the different aggregation states of the matter;
• provide a description of the transformation of matter through the chemical reactions;
• develop the capacity to carry out chemical calculations relative to mass balance.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
• describe the elementary particle structure of atoms, isotopes and their ions;
• describe the electronic configurations of the various elements, to predict their main periodic properties and their chemical reactivity;
• understand and justify atomic bonding in inorganic compounds by means of the valence-bond theory;
• comprehend the interatomic and intermolecular interactions to understand the various aggregation states of the matter;
• describe the behaviour of the ideal gas phase;
• describe the chemical solutions, the main concentration units.

Requirements
The basic knowledge concerning the numerical, algebra and analytical geometry calculations are required, such as typically given in the high school.

Program

Syllabus
Atomic structure, fundamental particles, atomic dimensions. Elements and isotopes. The concept of mole and the Avogadro number, atomic weights. Atomic orbitals, relevant energy contents, geometry for hydrogen-like and poly-electronic elements. Electronic configurations of elements and periodic properties: volume and atomic radius, ionization potentials and electronic affinity.
Molecules, compounds, chemical bonds and molecular interactions. Molecules and molecular weights, molecules and chemical formula. Oxidation numbers. Nomenclature of inorganic compounds, general properties and chemical reactivity. Theory of the ionic bond. Valence bond theory, covalent bonds and dative bonds. Multiple bonds. Electronegativity. Sigma- and pi-orbitals. Hybridization of atomic orbitals. Delocalization and resonance.
Structure of polyatomic molecules. Intermolecular interactions, weak intermolecular forces, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonds.
Physical States of Matter, laws and properties, phase transitions. The Perfect gas model, laws of the gas state. State diagram of water. The liquid phase. Solutions: solute concentration methods.
Chemical reactions and reaction balance, weight calculations and stoichiometry. Acid and base reactions.

Learning and teaching mode.
The course is organized in 20 hours of frontal lessons in which syllabus arguments are presented on the blackboard. Besides the theoretical aspects, step by step, representative examples and exercises will be shown in order to practice.
Specific didactical material will be furnished to the students at the end of each paragraph. The regular attendance of the lessons is recommended for an easier learning.

Examination Methods

Execution and modality of the examination
The verification of the Inorganic Chemistry module is tested by a written examination performed at the same time of the Organic Chemistry one. An eventually oral examination is programmed only in the case of a not complete sufficiency acquired in the written counterpart. Written test consists in a set of open questions and numeric calculation exercises. Typically examination takes 1 hour long.
The number and the dates of the examinations are fixed according to the faculty instructions; time-schedule examinations are published at the beginning of each semester. To enrol for the final-examination the student must exclusively utilize the information processing system (Esse3).