Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Department of Basic Sciences

Syllabus for Introductory Chemistry I

Thursday 22nd of August 2024

PRESENTED TO: SENATE

PRESENTED BY: Department of Basic Sciences

YEAR: 1

MODULE TITLE: Introductory Chemistry I

COURSE CODE: CHE31101

DURATION: 13 WKS

NO. OF LECTURES HOURS/WEEK: 2 HRS

NO. OF TUTORIALS HOURS/WEEK: 0 HRS

NO. OF PRACTICAL HOURS/WEEK: 0 HRS

TOTAL MODULE CREDITS: 3.5 HRS

SUMMARY:

The course introduces fundamental concepts of general chemistry and focuses on the structure of an atom, chemical
bonding, concentration of solutions and reaction systems that are at equilibrium. Weekly laboratory exercises emphasize on
both qualitative and quantitative techniques and complement the lecture material

ASSESSMENT:

Continuous assessment (Practical activities, Tutorials, Assignments, Mid Semester examination): 40% End of Semester
Examination: 60%

AIMS OF STUDY:

1. To establish a foundation of the basic Principles of Chemistry with Particular interest to those aspects which have
direct relevance to Agriculture

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Summarize the contributions made to early understanding of the atomic structure by John Dalton, J. J. Thomson,
Ernest Rutherford, Chadwick and Neils Bohr

2. Derive the predicted ground-state electron configurations of atoms using Aufbau Principle and relate the
configurations of the atoms to element classifications on the Periodic Table

3. Discuss the chemical periodicity of the following properties: Atomic radii, Ionic radii, 1st Ionization Energy, Electron

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 Affinity and Electronegativity

4. Describe how elements bond by transfer or sharing of electrons and relate the nature of bonding to electronegativity
differences

5. Explain sp3, sp2 sp atomic orbital hybridization

6. Calculate concentrations of solutions expresses in different forms and converting between the different concentration
forms

7. Use Equilibrium Constant to describe systems at equilibrium and predict the effects of changes imposed on the
system at equilibrium

8. Understand the Equilibria that exist between Ionic Solids and their ions in solution.

LECTURE TOPICS:

1. Atomic Theory and Structure of the Atom

I. Dalton's Atomic Theory

II. Structure of an Atom: Thomson's Atomic Model, Rutherford's Atomic Model and Chadwick's Neutrons
Discovery

III. Atomic mass units (amu), Relative Atomic Mass, Relative Molecular/ Formula Mass

IV. Elements and Compounds, Pure Substances and Mixtures

2. Quantum Theory and the Electronic Structure of the atoms

I. Plank's quantum Theory

II. Quantum numbers and the Atomic Orbitals

III. Electron Configuration of atoms and the Periodic Table

IV. Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism

3. Atomic Properties of the Periodic Table

I. Atomic/ Ionic radii

II. Ist Ionization Energy

III. Electron Affinity

IV. Electronegativity

4. Chemical Bonding: Basic Concepts

I. Ionic and Covalent Bonds

II. Electronegativity and bond polarity

III. Types of Intermolecular Forces: Dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole, Ion-induced dipole, Dispersion Forces

IV. Hydrogen Bonding

5. Chemical bonding: Hybridiztion of Atomic Orbitals

I. SP3 Hybridization

II. SP2 Hybridization

III. SP Hybridization

IV. Hybridization in Molecules with Double and Triple Bonds

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 6. Concentration of Solutions

I. The Mole Concept and Calculations

II. Concentrations of Solutions expressed in Molarity, Normality, Mole Fraction, Molality, Percentage and Parts
per Million

7. Chemical Equilibrium

I. The Concept of Chemical Equilibrium

II. Writing Equilibrium Constant Expressions and Calculating Equilibrium Constant

III. Uses of Equilibrium Constant: Predicting Extent of a Reaction, Predicting Direction of a Reaction and
Calculating Equilibrium Concentrations

IV. Factors that Affect Equilibrium and the Le Chatelier's Principle

8. Solubility Equilibria of ionic solids

I. Calculating and interpreting Solubility Product, Ksp

II. Using solubility product to calculate solubility of salts

9. Properties of Acids and Bases

I. The Lewis Acid-Base concept and self-ionisation of water

II. Strengths of acids and bases: Acidity constant, Ka and Basicity constant, Kb

III. pH of aqueous solutions of strong acids and bases

IV. pH of aqueous solutions of weak acids and bases

V. Buffer systems

VI. Preparation of buffer

10. Oxidation-Reduction reactions

I. Oxidation states

II. Balancing Redox reaction equations

PRACTICAL/LAB TOPICS:

1. Laboratory Instructions
2. Use of Glassware: Determination of volume of water
3. Chemical reactions of metals
4. Solution and solubility
5. Titration of acids and bases
6. Solutions and Dilutions
7. Factors affecting Chemical Equilibrium
8. Determination of solubility constant (Ksp) of sparingly soluble salts

PRESCRIBED TEXT:

1. Mumba P. (2018). Useful Principles in Chemistry for Agriculture and Nursing Students, 2nd Ed. Scientist

REFERENCE TEXT:

1. Chang R. (2010). Chemistry, 10th Ed. Mc Graw-Hill

2. Ebbing D. D. and Gammon S. D. (2007), General Chemistry, 9th Ed. George Hoffman
3. Kotz J. C., Treichel P. M. and Weaver G. C. (2008), General Chemistry, College Learning
4. Schaums outlines: College Chemistry (2013), 10th edition
5. Zumdahl S.S and Zumdahl S. (2014) Chemistry 9th Ed., Brooks – Cole, Cengage Learning, Belmont, USA.

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