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2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1: Bonding and Behaviour

20 creditsClass Size: 250

Module manager: Dr Michael Webb
Email: m.e.webb@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

A-level Chemistry or Equivalent

Module replaces

CHEM1000 Introduction to Modern Chemistry

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will provide a concise introduction to modern chemistry with a focus on a qualitative appreciation of electronic structure and how it determines the chemical and structural properties of matter.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will have an understanding of the way in which fundamental concepts in chemistry can be integrated together in a complementary manner. They will have a basic knowledge of:

- the shapes of simple chemical molecules and their electronic structure;
- the nature of chemical bonding and models to describe it;
- periodicity and its relationship to electronic structure;
- the relationship between the electronic structure of molecules and their physical properties;
- equilibrium and its links to kinetics;
- states of matter and their interconversion;
- principles of structure determination using modern spectroscopic approaches.

The student will also be able to appreciate how these ideas have relevance to modern society through the medium of selected illustrative examples, and will be able to apply these concepts to a range of problems in a linked programme of workshops and tutorials. Therefore on completion of this modules students should also be able to:

- stimulate and inspire students in Chemistry
- demonstrate links between academia and industry
- give insights into the perception and importance of chemistry

Learning outcomes
Students will have a basic knowledge of:

1. The shapes of simple chemical molecules and their electronic structure
2. The nature of chemical bonding and models used to describe it
3. The inter-relationship between molecular structure, electronic structure and physical properties
4. Periodicity and its relationship to electronic structure
5. Principles of thermodynamics and their application to chemical reactions.
6. The principles underpinning states of matter and their interconversion
7. The use of IR and NMR to determine the structure of simple molecules

Skills outcomes
- can use chemical terminology
- can relate macroscopic, microscopic and symbolic descriptions of chemical behaviour
- can explain observations and solve problems using the principles of thermodynamics
- can explain observations, solve problems and predict molecular / materials properties using the principles of inorganic structure and reactivity
- can explain observations, solve problems and predict molecular / materials properties using the principles of organic structure and reactivity
- can use experimental data to determine structure


Syllabus

An integrated introduction to structural aspects of chemistry including:

- Introduction: principles of drawing and naming molecules. Chirality.
- Bonding: the electronic structure of the H atom; atomic spectra; nuclear charge and periodicity; ionisation potential and electron affinity; atomic and ionic size; oxidation states; electronegativity; electron counting and VSEPR; covalent bonding and diatomic molecules; hybridisation.
- Organic molecules: valence bond theory as a model for organic molecules, conjugation, aromaticity, pKa, reactive intermediates, electronic basis of curly arrow mechanisms exemplified by SN1 and SN2 reactions.
- Structure determination: using 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy.
- Reaction energetics: enthalpy, energies and entropies of reaction. Entropy. Gibbs free energy of reaction and its relationship with equilibrium.
- States of matter: Properties of gases, intermolecular interactions and phase changes.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
On-line Learning101.0010.00
Workshop111.0011.00
Lecture331.0033.00
Tutorial71.007.00
Independent online learning hours30.00
Private study hours109.00
Total Contact hours61.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

139 hours (including 30 hours online study - quizzes, additional reading etc.)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will have the opportunity to solve problems in workshops and offline, for which model answers will be provided, enabling them to reflect independently on their progress.

Formative exercises will be set ahead of tutorials. Feedback in written form will be provided on some of these. In other cases feedback will be provided generically in the tutorial.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Online AssessmentComputer Exercises15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)15.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Open Book exam3 hr 00 mins85.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)85.00

Students to be allowed to take one page of A4 notes into the exam.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:52:16

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