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UVic Chemistry
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Syllabus

The aim of this introductory chemistry course is to give students an appreciation and basic understanding of everyday functional materials (whether synthetic or natural). The shape of molecules and how they are assembled give rise to physical and chemical properties that form the basis of making functional materials. Understanding atomic and basic molecular structures and the forces that hold molecules and atoms together is essential for predicting the behaviour of materials. A solid grounding in these structural aspects of chemistry forms the basis of Chem 101, which in partnership with Chem 102, gives students a comprehensive overview of chemical science, in addition to providing a necessary introduction for further courses in chemistry.

1. INTRODUCTION (1.5 h). Welcome. Course goals; Chemistry 091; chemistry courses at UVic; majors/honours programs; Chemistry Co-op; WebCT for on-line quizzes; introduction to materials (from Chapter 12); definition of 'functional' materials; examples; molecular basis; organic materials (pharmaceuticals as example).

2. ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF ATOMS (Chapter 6; 6 h). Light and electromagnetic radiation; Wave-particle duality; quantization; Bohr model; atomic spectra; Uncertainty Principle; quantum mechanics; wave functions; quantum numbers; atomic orbitals; electron configurations; many-electron atoms; electron spin; Pauli Exclusion Principle; the Hund Rule; introduction to transition metals; Periodic Table.

3. PERIODIC PROPERTIES (Chapter 7.1-7.5; 3 h). Historical development; nuclear charge; sizes of atoms and ions; ionization energy; electron affinity.

4. IONIC, COVALENT AND METALLIC BONDING (Chapters 8 and 23.5; 4 h). Lewis structures; octet rule; formal charges; ionic and covalent bonding; bond polarity and electronegativity; resonance structures;bond order, strengths of covalent bonds; bond lengths; metallic bonding.

Mid-Term Test #1 will cover material up to approximately here. The specifics will be announced closer to the test date.

5. MOLECULAR GEOMETRY AND BONDING (Chapter 9.1-9.6; 5 h). Shapes of molecules; VSEPR model; molecular polarity; hybrid orbitals; multiple bonds; delocalized π bonding.

6. INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (Chapter 25.1-25.7; 5 h). Organic structures; physical properties; hydrocarbons; alkanes and cycloalkanes; isomerism; nomenclature; alkenes; alkynes; addition reactions; aromatic hydrocarbons; alcohols and ethers; aldehydes and ketones; carboxylic acid and derivatives; chirality.

7. INTERMOLECULAR FORCES AND BONDING IN SOLIDS (Chapter 11.1, 11.2, 11.8; 3 h). Liquids and solids; ion-dipole and dipole dipole forces; London dispersion forces; hydrogen bonding; molecular solids.

Mid-Term Test #2 will cover material up to approximately here. The specifics will be announced closer to the test date.

8. MODERN MATERIALS (Chapter 12.1-12.6; 5 hrs). Liquid crystals, polymers; biomaterials, ceramics; superconducting materials; thin films; pharmaceuticals.