CHGN121 – Principles of Chemistry I
Contacts: Dr. Renee Falconer/Dr. Mark Seger, Chemistry and Geochemistry,
rfalcone@mines.edu, mseger@mines.edu
Bulletin description: CHGN121. PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I. 4.0 Hours.
(I, II) Study of matter and energy based on atomic structure, correlation of properties of elements
with position in periodic chart, chemical bonding, geometry of molecules, phase changes,
stoichiometry, solution chemistry, gas laws, and thermochemistry. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab; 4
semester hours. Approved for Colorado Guaranteed General Education transfer. Equivalency for
GT-SC1.
Purpose in the curriculum:
Chemistry is the field of science associated with atoms and molecules. It focuses on the behavior
and properties of matter, the relationship of energy with the bond-forming and bond-breaking
reactions that dictate chemical processes, and the creation of new substances. It is often considered
the central science, linking the physical sciences with engineering, medicine, and life sciences.
This course is part of the distributed science requirement of the core curriculum.
Current Textbook:
Tro, Chemistry: A molecular approach (3rd edition), Pearson Custom Publishing (ISBN-13: 978-0321-80924-7)
Learning outcomes/topics covered:
1. Matter ,measurement and problem solving: atomic nature of matter, elements and the periodic
table, measurement, units, density, accuracy, precision, significant figures, unit conversions.
2. Atoms and elements: conservation of mass and energy, protons, neutrons and electrons in
atomic structure, isotopes, the mole, atomic masses.
3. Molecules, compounds and chemical equations: nomenclature, molar mass, percent
composition, balancing reactions, empirical and molecular formulas
4. Chemical quantities and aqueous reacitons:, stoichiometry, reaction yields, limiting reactants,
concentration, dilution calculations, titration, net ionic equations, precipitation reactions,
solubility, acid/base neutralization reactions, oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions, activity
series of elements.
5. Gases: Pressure units, visual and conceptual relationship of pressure, temperature, volume and
mass/moles, Ideal gas law, kinetic molecular theory of gases, rates of effusion, ideal vs. nonideal conditions.
6. Thermochemistry: Energy, enthalpy, work, heat, temperature, , calorimetry, heat capacity,
heats of formation, bond dissociation energy, enthalpy of combustion.
7. Periodic Properties of the elements: electron configurations, atomic and ionic radii, ionization
energy, electron affinity.
8. Chemical bonding: ionic bonding, lattice energy, covalent bonds, electronegativity, electron
dot and Lewis structures, resonance, formal charge, octet rule.
9.
Molecular shapes: VSEPR theory, polarity.
10. Liquids, solids and intermolecular forces: dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, hydrogen
bonding, ion-dipole forces, surface tension, vapor pressure, heating curves, viscosity, fusion,
freezing, condensation, sublimation, deposition, phase diagrams, crystalline solids.
Note: Liquids, solids and intermolecular forces (#10 above) is discussed as the last topic in
CHGN121 and the first topic in CHGN122.