28625 - Basics of Chemistry T-A L (A-K)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide the knowledge of chemistry necessary to interpret the properties and behavior of materials involved in the main production processes and to understand the effects of the latter on the environment.

Course contents

New students don't need to have previous knowledge of Chemistry.

All lessons will be in Italian.

The course program is divided into the following parts:

1. The atom and atom models

• Atom composition (electrons, protons, and neutrons); Rutheford experiments, electromagnetic spectrum, Heisenberg principle.
• Atomic number, mass number, and isotopes.
• Atom structure and atomic models: Thompson, Rutherford, Bohr
• Schrodinger equation.
• Electronic configuration of atoms and ions; Pauli principle, Hund rules.

2. Mole, chemical reaction, and stoichiometry

• The concept of mole.
• Molecular and molar masses. Calculation of the number of moles.
• Chemical equation and balancing.
• Reaction yield.
  

3. The periodic table, the chemical bond, and the intermolecular interactions

• Periodic properties (atomic volume, ionization energy, electronic affinity, metallic character)
• The chemical bond.
• Lewis Formulas.
• Ionic bond: the concept of ionic valence
• Covalent bond: single and multiple bonds. Lewis and VB theories.
• Molecular geometry. VSPER model.
• Bond energy.
• Molecular polarity.
• Intermolecular forces.

4. Oxidation number and chemical names of inorganic compounds

• Calculation of oxidation number
• Classical and IUPAC nomeclatures

5. Form of aggregations: Liquid, solid, and gas

• The gas phase: Boyle law, Avogadro hypothesis, the law of perfect gas, Dalton law.
• The liquid phase: vapor pressure, viscosity, supercritical fluids
• The solid phase: crystalline lattices

6. Solutions and colligative properties

• Concentration units
  
• Colligative properties
• Phase diagrams with one or two phases

7. Thermodynamic and thermochemistry

• The first principle of thermodynamic
• Enthalpy definition
• Hess law

8. Acid-Base equilibrium

• Definition of equilibrium constant
• Arrhenius and bronsted-Lowry theories
• Kw, pH and pOH.
• pH calculation for strong acids and bases

9. Organic Chemistry fundamentals

• Hydrocarbons nomenclature
• Fossil fuels: types and characteristics. Calculation of octane number
• Bio-fuels
• Heteroatoms and functional groups

10. Polymeric materials

• Polymer classes
• Crystallinity of polymers
• Correlation between structure and properties
• Synthesis of polymers
• Polymer uses
• Polymer recycling
• Polymers from renewable resources and biodegradable polymers

11. Metallic materials

• Steel and cast iron production
• Iron-carbon diagrams
• Alloys

12. Composite materials

• Composite with polymer matrices
• Kevlar, carbon, and glass fibers
• Preparation methods

13.Mechanical properties

• Mechanical properties of polymers and steel
• Stress-strain diagram
• Dynamical mechanical testing
• Impact testing

Readings/Bibliography

One of the following texts is recommended for the part related to the basics in chemistry:

R. Chang, J. Overby. Fondamenti di Chimica Generale. McGraw-Hill

R.A. Michelin, A. Munari. Fondamenti di Chimica. CEA

The following text is recommended for material science:

W.F. Smith, J. Hashemi Scienza e tecnologia dei materiali. McGraw-Hill

To practice:

1. you can solve the problems at the end of the chapters in the texts indicated above (where present).
2. exercises available in the didactic material, prepared on the basis of those carried out during the lessons

Teaching methods

The course is based on lectures, held in the classroom, supported by the projection of PowerPoint presentations.

Guided exercises will be held on the various topics of the program. The exercises performed will be similar in type and difficulty to those proposed in the examination.

Assessment methods

The assessment takes place through a final exam, which verifies the acquisition of the knowledge and skills expected by carrying out a written test lasting 2 hours without the help of notes, books, and supplementary material. Only the use of the calculator is allowed.

The written test consists of a multiple-choice section, an open questions section, and exercises on the topics covered in class.

To take the exam, the students have to register through AlmaEsami, within the reported deadlines. At the beginning of the test, under the penalty of exclusion, the students will be identified through identity documents or university badges.

Passing the exam will be guaranteed to students who demonstrate mastery and operational ability concerning the key concepts illustrated in the teaching, and in particular to achieve the educational objectives:

- knowledge of the atomic structure of matter and its properties in the various states of aggregation.

- knowledge of the principal properties of materials.

- knowledge of basic chemistry problem-solving methods.

Teaching tools

The teaching material projected in class will be made available to the student in electronic format via the VIRTUALE platform.

The teaching material provided to students, even if supplemented by the notes taken in class, is not a substitute for the reference texts but constitutes a guide for the selection and understanding of the topics to be treated.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Sisti

See the website of Micaela Vannini