CHEM1201 General Chemistry

Successful completion of this topic together with CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry provides a one year pathway to second year programs in chemistry.

This topic has been designed specifically for students who have not studied chemistry beyond elementary levels at secondary school or who have not studied Chemistry at stage 2 SACE (Year 12) level in recent years. It may not be taken by students who have already passed CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding and/or CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry.

The subject matter in the topic has been chosen and organised to provide students with a background of chemical knowledge. It will be of special value to students who are insufficiently prepared in chemistry to enter CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding and who intend to proceed to a degree in chemistry, another area of science or social science.

The topic deals with classification of matter, chemical symbols, formulae and equations, laws of chemical combination, atomic and molecular structure, bonding, relationships between bond type and physical properties, intermolecular forces, acids and bases, molarity, gas laws, liquids and their vapour pressures, elementary kinetics and thermodynamics.

This topic aims to provide students with a little or no chemistry background enough information to be able to continue studies in chemistry and to assist in other topics offered within the university.

1. Appreciate how chemists classify and name matter and be able to do this in simple situations
2. Appreciate the concept of a chemical reaction
3. Describe a simple reaction by means of an equation
4. Use equations to determine the quantities of reactants and products needed or produced in a chemical reaction
5. Understand the concepts of ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
6. Understand the concept of intermolecular force and use it to predict relative molecular properties such as melting point, boiling point and vapour pressure
7. Predict the outcome of acid-base and precipitation reactions
8. Understand the concepts of enthalpy and entropy and perform simple calculations
9. Know the ideal gas equation and be able to apply it
10. Understand the factors that affect the rate of a reaction
11. Work in a laboratory with due regard for the occupational health and safety of themselves and others in the laboratory and of those in the community at large