Chemistry 161- General Chemistry w/ Lab I
INSTRUCTOR
Winter 2016
Sharmila Pal
Phone: 206-934-3737 (email is best)
Email: muniapal@gmail.com ; Sharmila.Pal@seattlecolleges.edu
Office: IB 2426 C
Office hours: By appointment
COURSE MEETINGS
AS 1519
AS 1614
M, W 12:00--‐1:50 pm
T, TH 12:00--‐1:50 pm
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course is the first in the three-quarter general chemistry series, intended principally for chemistry,
engineering, geosciences, biology and pre-medical or veterinary majors. In this quarter, we will cover
Chapters 5 – 11 of the Silberberg et al. textbook; the topics covered are Gases, Kinetic molecular theory,
enthalpy, the structure of the atom, and chemical bonding including valence bond and molecular orbital
theory. This is the so-called “majors sequence” meaning that if you are majoring in any science or
engineering field, this is the sequence to take.
PRE-REQUISITES Chem 139 (Chapter 1-4 from Silberberg) and Math 98 with 2.0 or better, ENG101
is strongly recommended (Only the students with proper pre-req are to remain in class.) and/or a passing
grade in chemistry placement exam.
Please direct add code questions to academic advisers and / or Dr. Jackie Hong in IB 2429B
COURSE MATERIALS

Text Book: Silberberg and Amateis. Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change ;
7th Edition
 Course Website and Lab Manual: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/spal/
 CONNECT WEBSITE: http://connect.mheducation.com/class/s-palchemistry-161-winter-16

Bound lab notebook (must be obvious if pages are removed so 3-ring or spiral-bound
notebooks will not suffice)


Scientific calculator
Safety goggles: available at the bookstore
TOPICAL OUTLINE
Review of chapters 1–4
i.
ii.
iii.
Scientific Measurement: Dimensional Analysis
Matter and energy
Atomic theory and periodic law
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iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
Chemical bonds and compounds
Ionic and molecular compounds: Nomenclature
Mole and stoichiometry
Types of reactions and Solution chemistry
Coverage of chapters 5-11
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
Gases and Kinetic Molecular Theory
Thermodynamics-Energy and Chemical Change
The Quantum Mechanical Atom
Electron configuration and Periodicity
The Basics of Chemical Bonding
Molecular Geometry
Theories of Bonding and Structure
ATTENDANCE
This course is very fast-paced and covers a broad range of content at a fairly high level. Attendance is
therefore extremely critical for success in this class. If for some reason you are unable to make a session,
it is your responsibility to make sure you get all notes, assignments, readings completed. No make-up
quizzes will be given. See “Exams” below for the rare exception to the no make-up policy.
PRE-CLASS
LearnSmart Assignments in CONNECT are to be done before class. More information on this is coming
soon. The weblink is: http://connect.mheducation.com/class/s-pal-chemistry-161-winter-16
HOMEWORK
Homework: Homework is the key to success in this class!!!! Homework assignments will be given on a
weekly basis. Typically there will be about 10-12 problems. Homework will be due at the beginning of
class. You are encouraged to work together on the problems, but every student needs to turn in their own
work. Please put time and effort into the assignments since it will determine your performance on the
exams.
Worksheets: In addition to homework, there will be chapter worksheets designed to help you master the
material. They will be collected at the end of the quarter as a packet/portfolio. It your responsibility to
keep track of all the worksheets and have them completed. Points will be deducted if they are not
arranged according to their serial number, if they are in-complete, and if they are sloppy.
LABS
Students who miss one or more laboratory experiments will FAIL the course i.e they automatically
receive a 0.0 or NC (no credit) grade for the whole course. No make-up labs allowed.
Safety First! Many chemicals in the lab are hazardous, so handle all chemicals carefully and dispose of
all waste properly. Be aware of yourself and those around you at all times (pay attention!).
2
Lab Dress Code – close toed shoes, and goggles
You must wear shoes which cover your toes. If you don’t have the right shoes, I will send you home to
get a pair that works. NO EXCEPTIONS! It is essential to bring your goggles the first day of lab and
then leave them in your lab drawer; you will need them for every experiment in the course.
Lab policies (this is a partial list; a more complete list will be discussed in the lab)
1. Take lab data in pen, not pencil. Record all data and observations in your lab note-book and not on
scratch paper or paper towels.
2. No food or drink is allowed in the lab.
3. Safety goggles are mandatory and must be worn at all times in the lab, even if you are not doing any
experimental work at the time.
4. Open-toed shoes (sandals, flip-flops, etc.) are strictly forbidden. You will be sent home to get better
shoes.
5. Dispose of all waste in marked waste containers, never down the sink.
6. Follow the instructions of the instructor or the lab technician; failure to do so will mean expulsion
from the lab.
How do you prepare for lab?
 Bring a pen. You will need it to record your data.
 Bring your own data report sheet and lab note book
 Finish and bring your pre-lab. It is your ticket in the door. If I see you completing it “in the lab” after
we have started, you will be ejected from the lab.
 Read and understand the procedure and safety concerns before you arrive in the lab. Our lab
work is complex and potentially dangerous. If you are not prepared you will be a hazard to yourself
and to others. Don’t slow down your lab partner because you are not prepared to start the lab when
you arrive.
What happens if you are late to lab?
If you are more than 15 minutes late for lab you MAY not be allowed to participate, because you will
have missed important safety and introductory information at the beginning of the lab.
When is lab work due?
Keep track of the lab schedule:
1. Pre-Lab: Due at the beginning of lab. Pre-labs turned in late will be given a score of zero.
You must complete the pre-lab in order to participate in the lab. NO EXCEPTIONS. You will be a
hazard to yourself and others if you have not prepared.
2. Post-Lab and Data: Your experimental data and your answers to any post-lab questions are due at
the beginning of class, a week following the lab (eight days later). Post-lab reports turned in after
class starts will be marked late. On some occasions I may ask you to turn in your data and results
immediately after the lab.
What happens if you miss a lab?
There will be no make-up laboratory sessions, since there is extensive set-up and preparation required by
the laboratory staff.
Does each lab group turn in ONE report, or a report for each person?
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Even though you work in groups in the lab, EACH person must write down all data and complete their
own lab report. This means one pre-lab and one lab report PER person, not per team.
Furthermore, your academic lab work must be YOUR own work. If it becomes apparent that you have
copied the work of another student, you and any other students involved will receive a zero on that
lab report. For more information, see the section on Academic Dishonesty in this syllabus.
QUIZZES and EXAMS
We will regularly engage in quizzes (most likely on a weekly basis) to keep you on top of the course
material. A total of four in-class exams will be given during the quarter: 1 review exam (chapter 1-4); 2
midterms and 1 cumulative final exam. Please see the schedule for dates. The final exam will be
cumulative. No Make-ups for any exams!! Mark your calendars. Only for true emergencies will an
alternate exam time be allowed. If you believe you have an unavoidable conflict and will not make it to
the exams, you must arrange with the instructor an alternative time for taking the exam.
Review Exam: January 12
Midterm 1: February 4
Midterm 2: March 3
Final Exam: March 23 1-3 pm
GRADING
CONNECT LearnSmart: 5 pts per assignment
Homework: 15 pts each
Worksheets: 10 pts each
Quizzes and Group Activities: 20 pts each
Pre-labs: 10 pts each
Final Lab reports: 30 pts each
Midterms: 100 pts each
Final exam: 150 pts
%
Earned
GPA
LetterGrade
%
Earned
GPA
LetterGrade
% Earned
GPA
Letter-Grade
100-98
4.0
A+
80
2.7
C / C+
67
1.4
D
97-96
3.9
A
79
2.6
C
65
1.2
D
95-94
3.8
A
78
2.5
C
64
1.1
D
93-92
3.7
A-
77
2.4
C
63
1.0
D
91
3.6
A-
76
2.3
C
62
0.9
D
90-89
3.5
B+
75
2.2
C
61
0.8
D
88-87
3.4
B / B+
74
2.1
C-
60
0.7
D
86
3.3
B
73
2.0
C-
59 and < 59
0.0
D
85
3.2
B
72
1.9
C- / D+
84
3.1
B
71
1.8
et cetera
83
3.0
B / B-
70
1.7
D
82
2.9
B-
69
1.6
D
81
2.8
B-
68
1.5
D
4
CLASS ETIQUETTE





Arrive on time. If an emergency causes you to arrive late, enter quietly through the rear doors of
the lecture hall.
Do not begin packing your belongings until after the end of lecture
Keep conversations to a minimum
Keep your cell phone (or other device) on silent and refrain from using phones or other
electronics not associated with Chem 161 during class time.
Do not browse or read materials that are unrelated to the lecture. This includes – but is not limited
to – newspapers, magazines, books, e-mail inboxes, and the internet. If computers are used for
these applications computers may no longer be allowed in lecture.
Expectations for Success
1. Cheating and Plagiarism: Will not be tolerated! Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will result in
a zero grade for the assignment and you will be reported to the college for academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism is defined as:
 Incorporating five words in a row from a print, electronic, or oral source without quotations marks
and proper citation (APA format)
 Paraphrasing another source so closely that the work is not truly your own
 Submitting work done by another person or receiving so much help from another person that the
work cannot honestly be considered your own.
2. Attendance: It is my expectation you come to every class on time. If your attendance is poor
or you are frequently tardy, you will not do well in this class. If you miss a class, it is your
responsibility to obtain the necessary materials from classmates, the webpage or myself and to
hand in any assignments.
3. Late Assignments: Late assignments will not be accepted.
4. If I can’t read it I can’t grade it. Illegible or ambiguous work will receive a zero so write
carefully.
5. Show your work! Partially correct problems will receive partial credit. Problems showing no
work will receive no credit. Make sure your work is organized and clear because I will not sift
through a mess.
6. Multi-page assignments will not be accepted unless stapled.
7. Quizzes and Exams: Quizzes will be performed in groups of up to three people. Exams are
completed alone, but you will be permitted a limited amount of notes. Make up exams/quizzes
shall not be given under any circumstances so be sure to arrive on time on quiz/exam days!
8. Lab Reports: Will generally be due one week from completion of the lab and are to be completed
individually. Although you will have the same data as your lab partner, the content of the lab report
must be unique from your partner.
9. “Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.”
10. What you get out of this class is related to what you put in.
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




The majority of learning occurs outside of the classroom!! The learner is responsible for
mastering the material.
Organization – Sticky tabs may be used to mark important pages or questions in your notebook or
textbook. Folders will help keep you from losing papers.
Class Preparation – Come to class with pens, pencils, a notebook and a functioning calculator.
Practice – The textbook and notes offer example problems. The homework problems/worksheets
offer practice. If you need more of either, try using a google search of .edu webpages (click
advanced link and restrict search to .edu domain). It is your responsibility to practice outside of
class.
Seek Help- If you are facing a difficult time with a particular topic, seek help early on. Don’t wait
till the last minute. Chemistry builds on foundation and previous knowledge. Help is available
through
my
office
hours,
MLC,
and
chemistry
tutors.
Visit
http://webshare.northseattle.edu/MLC/biology/tutors.html for tutor schedule
CLASS SCHEDULE
Disclaimer: The following schedule for Readings, Lectures and Exams is TENTATIVE. The instructor always
reserves the right to make changes in the published schedule. It is your responsibility to stay informed of the class
schedule.
MON
Jan 4
Introductions and
Syllabus; Lab Checkin
TUES
WED
THURS
Jan 5
Review of Ch 1-4
Jan 6
Review of Ch 1-4
Jan 7
Review of Ch 1-4;
Activity 1 - Pennium
Jan 12
Review Exam;
Jan 13
Lab 1 – Alka Seltzer
Jan 14
Chapter 5 – gases and
kinetic Molecular
theory
MLK Day- NO
CLASS
Jan 19
Chapter 5 – gases and
kinetic Molecular
theory
Jan 20
Lab 2 - Types of
Reaction
Chapter 5 – gases and
kinetic Molecular theory
Jan 21
Chapter 5 – gases and
kinetic Molecular
theory
Jan 25 Chapter 5 –
gases and kinetic
Molecular theory
Jan 26
Chapter 6 –
Thermochemistry
Jan 27
Lab 3- Molar Mass of
CO2
Jan 28
Chapter 6 –
Thermochemistry
Feb 1
Chapter 6 –
Thermochemistry
Feb 2
Chapter 6 –
Thermochemistry
Feb 3
Review of Ch 1-4
Jan 11
Review of Ch 1-4
Begin Chapter 5 –
gases and kinetic
Molecular theory
Jan 18
Feb 4- Midterm 1
6
Feb 8
Chapter 6 –
Thermochemistry
Feb 9
Chapter 6 –
Thermochemistry
Feb 10
Lab 5- Hess’s Law
Feb 11
Chapter 6 –
Thermochemistry
Feb 15
Feb 16
President’s Day – NO Chapter 6 –
CLASS
Thermochemistry
Feb 17
Chapter 7- Quantum
Theory
Feb 18
Chapter 7- Quantum
Theory
Feb 22
Chapter 7- Quantum
Theory
Feb 23
Chapter 7- Quantum
Theory
Feb 24
Lab 6- Beer’s Law
Feb 25
Chapter 8- Electron
configuration
Feb 29
Lewis Diagram
March 1
Lewis Diagram
Worksheet
March 2
March 7
March 8
Ideal Gas Law Lab
(no-pre-lab in lab
notebook necessary)
Chapter 9- Chemical
Bonding;
March 9
Lab 7- Acid-Base
Titrations
March 10
Chapter 10- Chemical
Bonding
March 14
Chapter 10Chemical Bonding
March 15
Chapter 10-Covalent
Bonding Theories
March 16
Chapter 11-Covalent
Bonding Theories
March 17
Chapter 11-Covalent
Bonding Theories;
Review
March 3- Midterm 2
Exam review/study day
March 21
March 23
REVIEW DAY
LOCATION: TBA
FINAL EXAM
1 – 3 PM
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Lab Notebook Format
A bound lab notebook (like a composition notebook) and goggles are required. Labnote book
should be bound like a book, spiral notebooks are only permissible if the carbonless copy type.
Three-ring binders or other loose-leaf notebook are not permissible. Pages may be lined, blank or
graphed.
Put page numbers on upper corner of each page and leave the first page of the notebook for table
of content.
Write directly onto the lab notebook in ink (never in pencil).
You are to have just the lab notebook out during the lab. The lab print outs or your loose notes
are not allowed. The content from your notebook will be randomly graded. Turn in your lab
notebook opened to the day’s prelab section as you walk in to AS1519.
Each lab report should include following sections. Label each section clearly with its heading.
(1)* Title
(2)* Procedure – Cut out the procedure section of the lab write up and glue or tape the
procedures neatly into your notebook. This is the only section of the lab report that is not
hand written. On that page directly do the following.
(a) Answer all the questions. Some may be something we have learned but some may
be something you have to look up. No more than 1 question should be left blank.
(b) Underline around all the equipments. Include a small sketch of equipment if you are
not already familiar with it.
(c) Using a highlighter, high-light all chemicals. If the name is given, write the chemical
formula. If the formula is given, write the name. Highlight both.
(3)* Prelab questions – Briefly rewrite each question. Your answer should include explanation
and/or equations along with step by step work. Box the final answer or key words.
(4)* Objectives of the lab – Be very specific.
*(1)-(4) are considered ‘pre-lab’ and are due as you walk in. You must complete the pre-lab
before in order to participate in the lab. NO EXCEPTIONS. You will be a hazard to yourself and
others if you are not prepared.
(5)**Date of the experiment
(6)** Group information – Names (First and last initial) and their job for the lab.
(7)** Quantitative and qualitative observation – if changes are made to the original procedures,
make the change directly in section (2).
Create tables in which to record your data. Think about how to structure these before drawing
them. Organization and neatness is part of your grade.
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** (5) – (7) are done during the lab period.
Making corrections
 If you make a mistake do not scribble it out or use white out. Strike the mistake with a
single line so it’s still clearly legible.
Correction
 Write the correction next to or above the mistake.
Mistake
(8)***Analysis – Write the equation and show your work at least once. Box the final results.
(9)***Post Lab Questions - Briefly rewrite each question. Your answer should include
explanation and/or equations along with step by step work. Box the final answer or key words.
(10)***Summary – It has to be complete and written in a given format. Everything in the
summary should be found somewhere else in the lab report. Remember what ‘summary’
means……
(11) Abstract – It is one paragraph including why the lab was done, what was done, the major
result(s), and conclusion(s). It should be no more than 100 words.
(12)***One thing I might do differently next time is ____, because ___.
*** (8) – (12) are considered ‘post-lab’
*** (9) – (12) can be typed in a word processor
How to turn in the lab report
Lab reports are due typically one week after the competition of the lab. Follow the guidelines
for writing a formal lab report. Photocopy all the relevant notebook pages for the lab Make
sure you staple them before handing it in. Do not rely on having a functional stapler in the
classroom.
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