Introduce students to the language and terminology of inorganic chemistry & build an understanding of the underlying principles that govern chemical & physical properties of atoms and simple molecules.
Introduce different models describing bond formation between atoms and relate these to the physical & chemical properties of simple molecules.
Give a perspective on physical & chemical properties of the main group elements.
Introduce the concepts of crystalline materials, lattice systems & the basic principles of X-ray diffraction.
Introduce the skills required for working in a group situation.
Outline Syllabus
Language of inorganic chemistry, measurements, units and nomenclature, balancing equations, oxidations states.
Atomic structure and properties - Classing atomic structure, the Bohr model of the atom, the nature of the electron, wavefunctions, many electron atoms, nuclear chemistry.
Diatomic molecules - Lewis model, Valence bond theory, molecular orbital theory, energy level diagrams, heteronuclear diatomic molecules.
Polyatomic molecules - Lewis model, VSEPR, Polarity, resonance, molecular orbitals.
Acids and bases -Brønsted Lowry theory, strengths of acids and bases, buffer solutions, pH changes in acid / base titrations, indicators, oxoacids, acidic and basic oxides and Lewis acids and bases.
Periodic table and periodicity:
atomic properties and periodicity, Hydrogen,
s -block chemistry - Group 1 elements, compounds and ions in solutions, Group 1 metals in liquid ammonia
Group 2 elements, compounds, biominerals, diagonal relationships
p - block chemistry - general aspects and trends, descriptive chemistry of Group 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18
A general introduction to the d and f-group elements
Synthesis and application of radioactive materials – nuclear fission, nuclear fuel cycle, radiopharmaceuticals and isotopes
Solids - structures based on the packing of spheres, metallic and ionic bonding, lattice energies. Metals and band theory, semi conductors and insulators.
Basics of symmetry and group theory: Symmetry elements, symmetry operations, point group symmetry. Vibrational spectroscopy (Infrared and Raman) and its relation to symmetry.
Group work - Different roles in a group, presentation skills.