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Learning outcomes

The Inorganic Chemistry module (2 CFU) is devoted to the students enrolled to TPALL course. The lessons are scheduled in the first semester of the first year. The course provides the basic concepts of inorganic chemistry in preparation for the subsequent organic chemistry study. Topics of the course are: atomic structure description (nuclei composition and electronic configuration) in order to understand the different reactivity of the various elements; chemical bond description (ionic, covalent) in order to justify the various inorganic compounds; the description of atomic and molecular interactions in order to realize the different aggregation state of the matter and their phase transitions. In particular, the liquid phase is described showing, for the solution, the main methods to measure the concentration of solutes. Some chemical reactions and their stoichiometric balance are presented.

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

Program

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.

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.

Books and other didactical support materials
Several books are now available. Among these the following are suggested:
a) "Elementi di Chimica", L. Palmisano e M. Schiavello, Casa Editrice EdiSES;
b) "Fondamenti di Chimica per le Tecnologie", R.A. Michelin e A. Munari, Casa Editrice CEDAM.
During the lessons some didactical support materials, in informatic form, will be available for students who regularly will attend the classes. This didactical material is structured in:
lesson-notes, concerning the arguments presented on the blackboard during the frontal-lesson;
numeric exercises, with relative solution;
resolutions of the texts proposed in the previous examinations.

Examination Methods