Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
CH10134 Atomic structure, bonding and the Periodic Table for Natural Sciences |
| Credits: 12 |
| Level: Certificate |
| Academic Year |
| Assessment: EX 60%, OT 20%, PR 20% |
| Requisites: |
| In taking this unit you cannot take CH10133 |
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Aims: The Unit will provide an introduction to the basics of the nature of the atom, elementary bonding theory, periodic trends in main group chemistry and the electronic structure of transition metal compounds. Students will also be taught key laboratory skills relating to observation of chemical reactions, quantitative analysis and synthetic methods.
Learning Outcomes: After studying this unit, students should be able to: * Name the first 36 elements, their symbols and electronic configurations. * Name the four quantum numbers and their allowed values. * Draw radial and angular functions for s, p, d orbitals. * Describe the bonding in diatomic molecules using molecular orbital (MO) theory * Construct MO energy level diagrams and be able to extract chemical information from them * Derive the shapes of molecules using the VSEPR method. * Describe the basic principles of s- and p-block chemistry, including hydrogen. * Use the redox properties of the s- and p-block elements to predict and rationalise chemical reactions. * Describe the basic chemistry of elements from Groups 15, 16 and 17. * Rationalise the fundamental geometries of TM complexes. * Utilise crystal field theory in determining the structures of TM complexes * Solve basic problems in quantitative inorganic analysis * Perform basic laboratory operations relating to quantitative analysis and synthesis * Write accurate scientific reports Skills: Numeracy (F, A), Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Oral communication (F). Content: Bohr model of the atom, quantization, properties of waves, Schrödinger equation and its solutions, angular and radial functions, quantum numbers. The Periodic Table, Aufbau Principle, Hund's Rules; ionisation energy, electron affinity and electronegativity. Molecular orbital theory for homo- and di- atomic molecules. VSEPR, hybridisation. Coordination chemistry: definitions, shapes, ligand classification, nomenclature and conformations; chelate complexes. Coordination numbers and geometries, isomerism. Chemical bonding theory, shapes of molecules. The s-block elements, properties related to reactivity and size. H-bonding. Oxidation states of the p-block elements, stability, lone-pair effect, free energy (Frost) diagrams. Chemistry of the halogens and noble gases and their inter-relationship. Hydrides of O, S, N, P and halogens. Properties of co-ordination compounds. Tetrahedral, square planar, and octahedral complexes; Introduction to Crystal Field Theory and splitting of d orbitals in octahedral and tetrahedral complexes. Chemical formulae, moles, molarity, oxidation and reduction. Application of mathematical methods to solving chemical problems Simple experiments relating to the above theory. |