Chemistry A
Objectives
To homogenizer the knowledge of students with different backgroundsThe student should learn the contents of General Chemistry included in the program, to know how to do the experimental work and solve the proposed problems.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to
a) apply fundamental Chemistry concepts in Engineering subjects.
b) understand simple chemical phenomena with impact in society.
b) solve simple problems in thermochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, ideal gases, chemical kinetics, acids and bases, solubility, electrochemistry and organic chemistry.
c) perform calculations related to chemical phenomena and the corresponding physical measurements.
d) perform simple lab tasks – weighting, transfer of liquids and solids, titrations, measurement of absorvances and determination of concentrations.
e) critically assess results.
On successful completion of the module, students will have improved interpersonal skills and the ability to study alone.
General characterization
Code
10343
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
João Montargil Aires de Sousa, João Paulo da Costa Noronha
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 57
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
The design of this course takes into consideration the expected high diversity of of first year students of Engineering regarding chemistry background
Bibliography
Chemistry, R. Chang, McGraw Hill, 14th Edition, 2022.
Química (tradução portuguesa de Chemistry), 11.ª Edição, R.Chang, McGraw Hill, 2012, ISBN: 9789899717275
Organic Chemistry, David Klein, 3e, 2017 Editora: John Wiley & Sons ISBN: 978-1-119-31615-2 + (Student Study Guide and Solutions Manual, 3e)
Teaching method
This course uses Team-Based Learning, TBL, http://www.teambasedlearning.org .
The unit is organised in 6 modules. Before each module, students are provided with the learning material and a list of specific objectives. Before the first class of each module, each student must answer an individual test (Readiness Assurance Test). The same test is answer by teams in class, followed by a mini-lecture to solve the test, discuss doubts and reinforce the most difficult points.
In the other classes of the module, teams are challenged with application activities, including lab works.
Evaluation method
The course unit uses the Team-Based Learning (TBL) methodology along with its embedded assessment method. Assessment takes into account in-class activities (50%) and the grade from tests/exam (50%).
The assessed in-class activities are:
a) Individual RAT tests (iRAT, on Moodle) and team tests (tRAT),
b) Team-based problem-solving activities,
c) Peer evaluation within the team.
At the end of the semester, each student evaluates the other members of his team (who have participated in most of the classes).
The evaluation is made by distributing 100 points among the others according to the contribution that each one has given to the team.
The team''s grade ("Laboratory or Project Evaluation") is obtained by 1/5 x lab work + 4/5 x average of the other team work. The team grade that counts for each member (personal team grade) is adjusted with the evaluation that colleagues make (team grade x sum of points given by colleagues /100). This can never be higher than the team''s grade by more than 1.5 points. If any student does not carry out any laboratory work in person, the team''s grade that counts for them is calculated with a value of zero in the laboratory work. The grade that each student receives from the class activities is given by 0.25 x iRAT + 0.75 x team grade. For the average of the iRAT ("Summative assessment") the worst iRAT does not count.
Based on the team grades, a ranking is established. At the end of the semester, the top-ranked team receives a 0.5-point bonus, the second-place team 0.25 points, and the third-place team 0.1 point added to their in-class activities grade.
In addition to the in-class activities, students are assessed through two tests or a final exam (theoretical-practical assessment).
A student fails the course if their exam grade (or average test score) is below 9.5 out of 20, regardless of the in-class grade. Students also fail if their final grade is below 9.5, with no minimum score required on individual tests. Students with an average test score or final exam grade below 9.5 are automatically registered for the resit exam.
Students who score 9.0 on the final exam (or 1 point below the passing grade, if the in-class activities score is under 10) may take an oral supplementary exam. In this case, the maximum score on the exam is capped at 10, and if the in-class score is under 10, the final course grade cannot exceed 10.
Students with an in-class activities (TBL) grade from a previous year may choose either to participate in the current year’s teams (in which case 50% of the final grade will come from this year’s in-class activities), or use their in-class grade from the previous year in the final grade calculation.
Final course grade:
Final Grade = 0.5 × in-class activities grade + 0.5 × test/exam grade
To pass the course, the Final Grade must be ≥ 9.5 (out of 20).
Subject matter
Periodic properties and chemical bonding
Chemical Reactions. Stoichiometry: Aqueous solutions and concentration units.
Vapor- Liquid Equilibrium. Ideal solutions. The Raoult´s Law. Distillation. Colligative properties.Chemical Equilibrium . The first Law of Termodinamics. Enthalpy. Standard Entalphy of formation and reaction. le Châteliers Principle.
Spontaneous proceses. Entropy. The second low. Gibbs Free Energy and Chemical equilibrium.
The ideal gas equation. Dalton´s law of partial pressure.
Activation Energy. Arrhenius Law. Catalysis.
Acids and Bases.Autoionization of water. pH. Strength of acids and bases. Buffers. Acid-base Indicators.
Precipitation Reactions. Solubility equilibria. The common ion effect. Separation of ions.
Redox Reactions. Standard Reduction Potencial. The effect of concentration on Cells. The Nerst Equation. Corrosion.
Organic Chemistry - Atomic Theory. Structure and molecular electronics. Hybridization. Representations of Lewis and Kekule. Molecular Geometry. Major classes of organic compounds - Nomenclature of Organic Compounds. Physical properties of organic compounds. Conformational analysis. Stereochemistry. IR spectroscopy in the identification of functional groups.
Practical sessions
1st Session - Determination of the Cu2+ Concentration of an Unknown Solution
through Spectrophotometric Analysis
2nd Session – Acid-Base Titration
3rd Session – 2D TLC Identification of PAHs in Soil Samples
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: