EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
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INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 161, Winter 2010
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Erin M. Gibbons
Office SAM 421, phone number 516-3129*
* please do not leave messages; please reach me by email!
EMAIL
egibbons@sccd.ctc.edu
COURSE WEBSITE
http://sites.google.com/site/chem161sccc/
OFFICE HOURS
M, Th 10 – 10:50 am, or by appointment.
LECTURE
Sec 01/03, M-F 9-9:50 am, SAM 401
LAB
Sec 01 T 12:00-2:50 pm, SAM 406 (Instructor: Erin Gibbons)
Sec 03 T 4:00-6:50 pm, SAM 406 (Instructor: Jake Ashcraft)
PRE-REQUISITES 2.0 or better in both CHE 139 and MAT 122 within the last 3
years, OR proficiency in all five sections of the CHE placement
exam.
Questions about the course?
CONSULT THIS DOCUMENT FIRST!
If your question is not addressed in this document, or if you are
confused about a policy, by all means, please contact me. But if I feel
that you have not really looked through this syllabus, I reserve the
right to ask to you do so.
Chemistry 161 is the first course of a three-quarter sequence designed to provide a
general background in the principles of chemistry and to introduce basic laboratory
techniques. It is intended for students who plan to major in science or engineering or who
plan to transfer to a 4-year university. As such, the CHE 161/162/163 sequence serves as
preparation for more advanced courses in chemistry, as well as other scientific and
related fields.
REQUIRED TEXT AND SUPPLIES.
 Text: “Chemistry” 2/e; Gilbert, Kirss, Foster & Davies; Norton, 2009
 CHEM 161 Lab Manual: For sale at the SCCC Copy Center, Room BE 3105A
 Basic Scientific Calculator (text-entry/graphing calculators will not be allowed
during exams and quizzes). Your calculator should have capabilities for square
roots, logarithms and exponentiation (antilogarithms) and exponential (scientific)
notation operations.
 3 Scantron forms for the multiple-choice sections of the midterm exams.
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
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COURSE GOALS. CHE 161 often proves to be a very challenging course. We will
cover a broad range of material, much of which will require not only mathematical
expertise, but sophisticated logical reasoning. Throughout the course, the emphasis will
be learning how to think effectively when solving scientific problems. This will require
that you understand the ideas introduced in the course, and not simply memorize how to
do a certain type of calculation.
In general, the central learning goals of this course are to develop an understanding of…
 …atomic structure and how it determines bonding patterns in molecules;
 …chemical and physical processes which result in an exchange of energy
between a system and its surroundings; and
 …the relationship between molecular structure, energy, and macroscopic
properties of matter.
In specific, we will discuss the following areas of chemistry:
 A Review of the Basics: Ch 1 – classification of matter, measurement
uncertainty, significant figures, dimensional analysis; Ch 2 –differences between
atoms, ions, molecules, naming simple compounds; Ch 3 –the mole; molar mass,
balancing chemical equations, stoichiometric calculations, limiting reagent; Ch 4
– concentration and dilution, strong and weak electrolytes, reactions in solution
(precipitation, acid-base, redox)
 Ch 6, Properties of gases: introduction of mathematical models of physical
systems; molecular nature of matter
 Ch 7, Electrons in Atoms and periodic properties: properties of
electromagnetic radiation; principles of quantum mechanics; electron orbitals
 Ch 8, Chemical bonding: electronegativity and molecular polarity; ionic versus
covalent bonding; Lewis structures
 Ch 5, Thermochemistry: general concepts of energy and heat; methods of heat
(energy) transfer; energy associated with chemical changes
 Ch 9, Molecular geometry and bonding theories: VSEPR model of molecular
geometry; orbital hybridization as rationalization of VSEPR; molecular orbital
model of bonding
 Ch 10, Forces between ions and molecules: connecting energy and states of
matter using intermolecular forces; phase changes
In the laboratory portion of the course you will conduct laboratory exercises that:
 Emphasize and apply the concepts learned in lecture
 Develop laboratory, data-analysis, and scientific-writing skills
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
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COMPONENTS OF THIS COURSE.
1. Reading. Your learning begins with the topics covered in the reading
assignments, which will be explored during lecture. We have a limited amount of
time together in the classroom, so it is essential you come prepared. Lectures are
written with the assumption that you have read the assigned sections in the
textbook thoroughly.
2. Textbook Practice Problems. These assignments are intended to help you
practice working with the concepts we will cover, firm up your understanding,
and locate areas where you may need to spend more time studying. A list of
practice problems is provided the last page of this syllabus. These assignments
will not be collected or graded.
3. Weekly Quizzes, which comprise 20% of your grade in this course, will be
inspired by the problems from the assigned practice problem sets. The quizzes
will be 10-15 minutes each, and will be given at the end of the class period. They
will cover all new topics discussed since the previous quiz. Topics discussed in
lecture on a quiz day will not be covered on the quiz. There will be no make up
quizzes, but your lowest quiz score will be dropped.
4. In-Class Discussion. As discussed above, the only way you will truly learn to
synthesize the techniques and concepts covered in this course is by practicing
them. We will strive to construct a "workshop" dynamic in class, in which you
will learn not only from your instructor but also from your classmates.
5. Exams. The exams are designed to assess both your technical and conceptual
expertise with the material. Exam problems will often require you to think more
critically than those in the practice problems. To prepare for the exams, review
your lecture notes, reading assignments, practice problems, and quizzes. If you
understand how to solve the problem sets from a conceptual standpoint, rather
than relying on rote memory of calculations, you will do well on the exams.
NOTE: It is assumed that you understand basic algebra and that you are comfortable
using logarithms. If you have difficulty with either of these topics, you will have to put
in extra time to practice the mathematics while you are learning the chemical principles
that employ these mathematical principles.
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
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EXAM DETAILS. There will be three in-class midterm exams and a two-hour final
exam. All exams will be given in the class meeting room. All new material covered since
the previous exam and prior to one lecture before the current exam day is subject to
examination. Chemistry knowledge is cumulative; therefore, questions on even the
midterm exams will often depend on knowledge from earlier chapters or courses.
Midterm exams are given during standard lecture time.
The final exam is scheduled for Tue, Mar 23rd, 8:00-10:00 am.
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam
Mon, Jan 11th
Wed, Feb 3rd
Mon, Mar 1st
Tue, Mar 23rd
(Ch. 1-4)
(Ch. 6-7)
(Ch. 8, 5)
(All previous chapters + Ch. 9-10)
Exam Rules
 Bring a scantron form, number 2 pencil, an eraser, and your non-text entry
scientific calculator to all exams (scratch paper will be provided).
 No hats with brims or headphones will be allowed.
 No notes or “cheat sheets” will be allowed. You will be given a periodic table and
any formulas you may need.
 Please arrive at least five minutes early on exam days so we can begin at the start
of the hour.
 REMEMBER: No text-entry or graphing calculators will be allowed on the
exam!!
 Only calculators may be used as calculators. That is, you may not use the
calculator function on your cell phone.
Grading. Midterm exams will be graded and returned within one week of the exam date.
Keys to exams will be posted on the course website.
Re-grading. If a simple addition error was made in calculating your score, show your
exam to your instructor anytime for correction. Otherwise…
 Re-grade must be for ≥ 5 pts! To have your exam re-graded, you must bring it to
your instructor within 48 hours of its return to you along with a note STAPLED to
your exam explaining what you want re-graded.
 Note that your instructor reserves the right to re-grade the entire exam, so you may
lose rather than gain points.
Absences from Midterm Exams. If you are absent from a midterm examination due to
an emergency, the weight of your final exam will be increased proportionately in
calculating your course grade. Examples of an emergency include: illness, death or
serious illness in the immediate family, or a car accident on the way to the exam. You
must provide documentation of your emergency (a doctor's note, an accident report, a
memorial folder, or similar documentation) within 72 hours of the missed exam or you
will be given a grade of zero. Missing the bus, oversleeping, or work-schedule conflicts
will not be considered emergencies, so plan well!!
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
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Absences from the Final Exam. If you are absent from the final examination, and you
are ineligible for an incomplete according to SCCC regulations, then you will receive a
grade of zero on the final, and a course grade commensurate with your point total for the
rest of the course. If an incomplete is given, you must satisfy the course requirements
according to SCCC policies to remove the incomplete and receive a final grade for the
course. This may include taking the final exam for the same course in the next regular
academic quarter in which it is offered.
EVALUATION. Your grade in the course will be determined by three midterm exams,
quizzes (of which you may drop one), eight lab reports (six regular and two
formal…details will be provided in lab), and the cumulative final are given below. There
will be no extra credit assignments.
Exams, 3 @ 100 pts ea. = 300 pts, scaled to…
Weekly quizzes, 8 (of 9) @ 10 pts ea. = 80 pts, scaled to…
Lab reports (grading details TBA), scaled to…
Final Exam
30%
20%
20%
30%
Course grades will not be assigned until the end of the term, after all possible scores have
been recorded. You are encouraged not to think of scores on individual assignments or
your running point total in terms of a total course grade. Your grade in the course
depends on all the evaluative techniques listed above.
Grade Point Based on a Percentage of Total Assigned Points
95%
90-94%
87-89%
84-86%
80-83%
77-79%
74-76%
70-73%
65-69%
60-64%
<60%
4.0
3.5-3.9
3.2-3.4
2.9-3.1
2.5-2.8
2.2-2.4
1.9-2.1
1.5-1.8
1.0
0.7
0.0
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
DF
Non-traditional grading options: "I" (incomplete), "N" (Audit), "NC" (No Credit), and
"W" (Official Withdrawal). Non-traditional grades might not be acceptable when
evaluated by other institutions and agencies, and may jeopardize future educational
opportunities and/or your current or future visa or financial aid status. For more details
refer to the latest district catalogue. Your instructor will not grant a grade of "NC" after
completing the 10th week of the quarter. A student who changes his/her grade to "N" and
wishes to receive that grade must maintain daily class attendance and participate.
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
Page 6 of 10
GENERAL COURSE POLICIES.
Conduct. By our presence in the classroom, all of us have entered into a contract create
and maintain a productive learning environment that will enable you to master the
material presented in this course. Rudeness, chatter during lecture, and disrespect make
learning difficult and will not be tolerated. This also applies to cellular phones and other
hand-held devices; turn these devices off during our class. If you are late to class, please
enter the classroom quietly so as not to disturb the lecture or discussion already in
progress. Similarly, if you must leave early please slip out quietly.
Attendance. Please make every attempt to attend all lectures. If you do miss a class
however, it is your responsibility to obtain lecture notes, handouts, assignments,
announcements, etc. from other classmates or the course website. Please do not email
your instructor to ask what you have missed; you will not get a response. Failure to attend
class during the first 10 days of the term may result in you being dropped from the class.
Note: State statutes require that all students who occupy space in class, be it for grade or
audit, must be enrolled and pay all fees prior to the tenth day of class. Enrollment will be
denied to those who do not meet this deadline.
Academic Integrity. Students are advised to consult the Washington Administrative
Code for Seattle Community Colleges (available online at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/
under "Title 132F: Seattle Community Colleges") regarding the definition of academic
dishonesty (click on "WAC 132F-121-110 Student misconduct"). In order that your
instructor may fairly evaluate each student's work or achievement, each student is of
course expected to do his or her own work. Sanctions for violating this expectation are
stated in the WAC (click on "WAC 132F-121-160 Disciplinary actions"), but will
certainly include a failing grade on the assignment in question, and perhaps a failing
grade in the course, depending on the seriousness of the violation.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to ensure that students with
disabilities have an equal opportunity to access academic programs and successfully
complete their studies. Any student with special needs must bring documentation to the
Disability Support Services office on the campus before any academic adjustments will
be made. Any contacts and/or information will remain strictly confidential. The DSS
office is in room BE 1140. The office phone number is 587-4183.
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
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LABORATORY EXPERIMENT SCHEDULE (W 10). This schedule is subject to
change.
All pre-labs and lab reports are due at the beginning of
your lab period unless otherwise announced.
Jan 5
Introduction to Lab: Lab Safety and ACS video;
CHEM 161 Diagnostic Quiz
Jan 12
Submit Lab Safety Quiz; Check in to locker;
Exp 1: Introduction to Laboratory Techniques
Jan 19
Exp 2: Limiting Reactant
Jan 26
Finish “Limiting Reactant” (weigh dry product)
Exp 3: Metathesis (Double-Replacement) Rxns
Feb 2
Exp 4: Volumetric Analysis Part 1 (FORMAL
REPORT)
Feb 9
NO LAB (SCCC Faculty In Service day); Submit
draft formal report in lecture on Mon, Feb 8
Feb 16
Exp 4: Volumetric Analysis Part 2 (FORMAL
REPORT)
Feb 23
Exp 5: Gas Laws
Mar 2
Exp 6: Atomic Theory and Flame Tests
Mar 9
Exp 7: Calorimetry (FORMAL REPORT)
Mar 16
Exp 8: Molecular Geometry; Check out
Mar 23
NO LAB (Finals week)
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
Page 8 of 10
PRACTICE PROBLEMS FOR CHEM 161, W10.
The purpose of these assignments is to provide you an opportunity to practice working
with the concepts covered in class and in the reading, and to help you determine areas
where you should spend more time to learn the material. These problems will not be
collected or graded.
Ch 1 – Matter, Energy, and the Origins of the Universe.
 Visual Problems: 1, 3
 Matter: 11, 19, 23, 25
 Making Measurements, etc: 35-69 odds
 Testing a Hypothesis: 73-83 odds
Ch 2 – Atoms, Ions, and Compounds.
 Visual Problems: 1
 Dalton’s View of Matter: 15
 The Rutherford Model: 17, 19
 Isotopes: 25, 27, 31
 The Periodic Table: 35, 37, 39, 43-51 odds
 Naming Compounds: 53-79 odds
Ch 3 – Chemical Reactions and Earth’s Composition.
 Visual Problems: 1
 The Mole: 7-25 odds, 31-37 odds
 Writing Balanced Chemical Equations: 39, 43-51 odds
 Combustion Rxns; Stoichiometry: 55-65 odds
 Determining Empirical Formulas, etc: 67, 71-85 odds
 Limiting Reactants and % Yield: 95-109 odds
 Additional Problems: 113, 115, 123, 127, 129, 133, 135
Ch 4 – Solution Chemistry and the Hydrosphere.
 Visual Problems: 1
 Soln Concentration and Molarity: 5-27 odds
 Dilutions: 29, 31, 33
 Electrolytes and Nonelectrolytes: 35, 37, 41
 Acid-Base Rxns: 43-55 odds
 Precipitation Rxns: 57, 63-75 odds
 Oxidation-Reduction Rxns: 81-99 odds, 107
 Additional Problems: 115, 117, 123, 125, 127, 135
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10
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Ch 6 – Properties of Gases.
 Visual Problems: 1-3, 5-11 odds, 12-15, 17, 19
 The Gas Phase; Atmospheric Pressure: 25-35 odds
 The Gas Laws: 37-63 odds
 The Ideal Gas Law: 65-81 odds
 Gas Density: 83-91 odds
 Dalton’s Law and Mixtures of Gases: 95-109 odds
 Kinetic Molecular Theory: 113, 117-125 odds, 131, 133, 134
 Real Gases: 135-141 odds
 Additional Problems: 143-153 odds, 157-165 odds, 169, 171, 173
Ch 7 – Electrons in Atoms and Periodic Properties.
 Visual Problems: 1, 3, 5, 9
 Waves of Light: 13, 17-25 odds
 Atomic Spectra: 27
 Quantum Theory: 31, 32, 33, 34, 35-43 odds
 The H Spectrum and the Bohr Model: 45, 47, 49, 55, 57, 59
 Electrons as Waves: 61-69 odds
 Quantum #s and Spin; Atomic Orbitals: 71-83 odds
 Filling AOs of Atoms; Configurations of Ions: 85-107 odds
 The Sizes of Atoms and Ions: 109, 111
 Ionization Energies: 113, 115, 117
 Additional Exercises: 119, 121, 125, 127
Ch 8 – Chemical Bonding.
 Visual Problems: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17
 Ionic, Covalent, Metallic Bonds, Intro to Lewis: 19, 27, 29-33, 35, 37-39, 42, 43,
45, 47
 Unequal Sharing, Electronegativity: 49, 51, 53, 55-57
 Resonance: 59, 61, 63, 64, 65-71 odds, 72
 Formal Charge: 73, 75, 77, 78-85; Add’l Probs: 131, 133, 135, 145, 149, 151
 Exceptions to the Octet: 89-95 odds, 96, 97-103 odds; Add’l Probs: 137, 142, 143,
155
 The Length and Strength of Bonds: 105, 106, 107-127 odds; Add’l Probs: 157
 Additional Problems: 161, 163, 165
Ch 5 – Thermochemistry.
 Visual Problems: 1-9
 Energy: 11-15
 Systems, Surroundings, and Energy Flow: 17-18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31
 Enthalpy and Enthalpy Changes (DH): 33-42
 Heating Curves and Heat Capacity: 43-47, 49-51, 53-56; Add’l Probs: 97, 98
 Calorimetry: 57-61, 63, 65; Add’l Probs: 99-101, 108, 109, 118
 DH of Formation, Rxn: 67-69, 71-73, 75, 76; Add’l Probs: 102-105, 107, 113,
117, 119
 Fuel Values and Food Values: 77-81, 83; Add’l Probs: 121
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
EMGibbons, CHEM 161 Syllabus, W 10

Page 10 of 10
Hess’s Law: 85-96; Add’l Probs: 115
Ch 9 – Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories.
 Visual Problems: 1-4, 7, 8
 Molc Shape, VSEPR Theory: 9-13, 15-39 odds; Add’l Probs: 99-101, 105, 106,
109, 113, 115
 Polar Bonds and Polar Molecules: 41-48, 49-55 odds; Add’l Probs: 119,
120, 125, 126
 Valence Bond Theory: 57, 59, 60, 63, 65, 66, 68, 70
 Shapes and Bonding in Larger Molecules: 76, 77; Add’l Probs: 115, 116
 Molecular Orbital Theory: 80-84, 87-89, 91, 93, 95; Add’l Probs: 107, 117, 121
Ch 10 – Forces Between Ions and Molecules.
 Visual Problems: 3-5
 Interactions Involving Polar Molecules: 21, 22, 24-26, 29-34
 Interactions Involving Nonpolar Molecules: 35-37, 39, 40
 Polarity and Solubility: 46, 53-56, 64-66
 Vapor Pressure: 69-72, 75, 76
 Phase Diagrams: 84, 86, 89, 90, 94
 Water is Freakin’ Cool and Properties of Liquids: 95-99, 101-104
The information in this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.