- Docente: Laura Sisti
- Credits: 6
- SSD: CHIM/07
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Environmental Engineering (cod. 9198)
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of the course are to understand the atomic and molecular nature of all phases of matter, to understand the various ways of depicting chemical compounds and chemical reactions, to develop an ability to solve basic quantitative chemical problems and to apply this knowledge to general scientific problems in various fields of science and engineering.
Course contents
It is not necessary to posses a prior knowledge of chemistry or specific understanding to attend with profit this course.
Fluent spoken and written italian is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials, and all study materials will be in italian.
The course contents are as follows:
-Atomic structure, atoms and molecules. Mole and Avogadro's number. The nuclear atom, isotopes. Stable nuclides and radionuclides. Radioactivity.
-Electronic structure of atoms, wave functions quantum numbers and atomic orbitals. Electronic configuration of elements in their ground state. Periodic system and periodic properties.
-Chemical bond, ionic bond and lattice energy. Born-Haber cycles. The properties of ionic solids. Covalent bond: introduction to Valence Bond theory and molecular orbital theory (LCAO-MO). σ and ϖ. Polarized bonds. Molecular geometry, hybrid orbitals. Polar and non-polar molecules. Weak bonds: hydrogen bond, Van der Waals interactions.
-Gas: state equation for perfect gas model; real gas: Van der Waals equation. Liquids: physical properties, saturated vapor pressure, surface tension. Amorphous and crystalline solids: introduction to Bravais lattices.
-Chemical reactions, stoichiometry. Balance of reactions without/with electron transfer. Yield of a reaction.
-Chemical nomenclature and the principal class of inorganic compounds.
-Solutions and expression of concentration.
-Thermochemistry and thermodynamics: work, heat, the first principle. Internal energy and enthalpy. Specific heat and molar heat. Standard enthalpy change of reaction (formation, combustion). Hess' law with practical applications.
-Chemical equilibrium, the equilibrium constant K Effect of pressure and temperature changes on chemical equilibrium. Le Chatelier principle. Ionic equilibrium in aqueous solution, the pH scale. Acids and bases (Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry). Acid-base reactions.
-Chemical kinetics, rate of a reaction and its expression. Partial and overall reaction orders. Rate constant. Arrhenius' equation, theory of molecular collisions, the activated complex and the activation energy. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.
Readings/Bibliography
One of the following book is recommended:
P. Atkins, L. Jones. Principi di Chimica. Zanichelli
R. CHANG. Fondamenti di Chimica Generale. McGraw Hill
Teaching methods
The course is based on class lectures through slides, exercises and problems sessions.
Assessment methods
Achievements will be assesed by means of a final exam on the entire course (Chemistry and Applied Chemistry). The examination consists in a written session of two hours with questions and exercises.
Teaching tools
Video projector.
Office hours
See the website of Laura Sisti