CHEM 102 Fall 2012
GENERAL CHEMISTRY
California State University, Northridge
Lecture:
Instructor:
Office:
Office hours:
Dr. Thomas Minehan
Science 2314
TR, 12:00-1:00 pm
Phone:
E.mail:
(818) 677-3315
thomas.minehan@csun.edu
Class Meetings:
TR, 3:30-4:45 pm
Eucalyptus 2228
T, 2:25-3:15 pm, Eucalyptus 2221
R, 2:25-3:15 pm, Eucalyptus 2221
Tro Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, Volume 2.
Discussion:
Text:
Course Web Site:
can be accessed via the departmental website or:
http://tminehan.com
Prerequisite for Enrollment in Chemistry 102
A passing grade (C- or better) in Chemistry 101 or its equivalent.
Corequisite: Enrollment in Chem 102L
About the Course: In this course we will continue to learn the general principles of
chemistry in order to lay a foundation for those who plan to become science (biology,
physics, chemistry, etc.) majors. Topics covered in this course include kinetics,
thermodynamics, electrochemistry, acid/base chemistry, ionic equilibrium, and
radiochemistry and nuclear chemistry. The principles learned in this course will allow
one to understand, quantitate, and predict chemical reactivity for a given system under
consideration.
Chemistry is not only an interesting and fascinating field of study, but application
of the chemical concepts you learn in this course lead everyday to the synthesis of
important new materials and pharmaceutical drugs, to understanding and solving energy
and pollution problems, and to developing sophisticated new lab experiments to
understand various natural / biological processes (just to name a few). Those who do not
plan to practice chemistry can also benefit from this course by enhancing their analytical
abilities through understanding chemists’ approach toward problem solving, which is
equally applicable in all professions and walks of life.
In every lecture, you will be exposed to new ideas, new concepts, and new techniques.
It takes a while to absorb all this information, but it can be accomplished by your
constant efforts. Please TRY TO READ THE TEXT and DO THE IN-CHAPTER
AND ASSIGNED EXERCISES BEFORE YOU COME TO THE CLASS and
THEN READ AGAIN BOTH NOTES AND THE TEXT BOOK AFTER THE
CLASS.
Student Learning Outcomes:
SLO #1: Demonstrate basic knowledge in general chemistry.
Assessment Tool: multiple-choice questions on final exam from ACS standardized exam in
General Chemistry.
GRADING / EVALUATION:
• Three hourly exams 3 x 100 = 300 pts (dates on syllabus) These exams will last
the full lecture period and will cover the course material up to the exam, with
emphasis on the material covered since last exam. There are no make-up exams.
• six in-discussion quizzes (lowest score discarded): 5 x 20 = 100 pts
• Final exam: 200 pts: a comprehensive exam, covering all of the material of the
course (Tuesday, December 11, 2 hours)
TOTAL = 600 PTS
*Final grade will be assigned at the end of semester using (+/-) grading system. An
overall score greater than/ equal to 80%, 70%, and 60% of the total points will guarantee
you an A, B, or C, in the course, respectively. You will get a passing grade in this course
only if you get an overall score of 60% or higher.
*Attendance: Attendance in the lecture AND the discussion sessions is mandatory.
Please turn off all cell phones when you enter the class! Please do not repeatedly
leave during class to answer the cell phone!
Since the class is only 75 minutes in duration, no late arrivals unless a seriously
compelling reason is given.
*Drop/ Withdrawal Policy: The chemistry department adheres to the university policy
concerning withdrawal from the course, a full description of which is published in the
university catalog for the dates fixed for adding, withdrawal, etc. Academic failure does
not constitute a clear and compelling reason for withdrawal from class or for the
assignment of an incomplete grade after the date for withdrawal, as specified in the
University catalog, is passed.
Make up exams are normally not given; only under very compelling and unusual
circumstances and when proper documentation is provided, missing a single exam will
not count against the grade.
Cheating: Cheating on an exam will result in failure on that exam plus possible
disciplinary action by the Dean of Students.
Tutoring: Free tutoring is available at the Department tutoring center in Science
2307 and at the Learning Resource Center. Also, the chemistry department has the
names of people who will tutor for a fee.
Calculators: Calculations are an important part of Chem102. You should therefore have
access to a basic scientific calculator (like a TI-30X IIS). Programmable or graphing
calculators or any device with communications capability such as a cell phone, laptop,
Blackberry or iPhone cannot be used as a calculator during quizzes or exams.
Accommodation
Students with disabilities should register with the Center on Disabilities (located in
Bayramian Hall room 110, phone: (818)677-2684), which will coordinate the approval
and implementation of appropriate physical and test-taking accommodations. Students
should obtain a services agreement to be completed each semester for physical
accommodations and an Alternative Testing Form (signed by a counselor) to provide to
course instructors for coordination of appropriate testing arrangements.
First day FAQ’s
What are the goals of this course for the student? At the end of the course, students
should have a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry and of
science in general. The study of kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium should
reinforce and extend basic chemical principles (stoichiometry, chemical bonding, gas
laws, the periodic table, thermodynamics) encountered in introductory general chemistry
courses. Students should also be able to handle quantitative problems in kinetics,
thermodynamics and equilibrium with good facility by the end of the course.
What instructional methods will be used in this course? The 2 weekly lectures are
supplemented by mandatory discussion sessions, in which problem solving/class
discussion will be the focus. Questions during class are strongly encouraged, but because
of time constraints, faculty office hours and discussion sections may be even more ideal
forums for questions and discussion on course content.
How does this course fit into broader curricula? Because of the importance of
chemistry to almost every field of science, general chemistry is a required course for
people intending to major in engineering, physics, biology, biochemistry, geology, and
any medical-related field. If you study in any of the above areas, you will certainly find
that material in more advanced courses in your major will revisit the basic principles you
learn here over and over again (so learn it now!). Non-science majors, as stated above,
can also benefit from this course by enhancing their analytical abilities through
understanding the scientific method and chemists’ approach toward problem solving.
Why was the required course textbook chosen? Both students and teachers alike in the
past have found Tro to be “clear, concise, and accurate”, making it easier for students to
absorb the relatively large amount of information presented in the course.
Tips for Success:
1. Take detailed notes and review them after lecture.
2. Do lots of practice problems; find alternative sources for practice problems than the
ones provided. Virtually any text in general chemistry will provide you with a wealth of
practice problems for each topic covered in lecture.
3. Study every day, at least one hour. Postponement of studying for chemistry until the
week before the exam is a certain pathway to failure. Given the enrollment demand and
limited classes available, it will be very difficult or virtually impossible to re-enroll in the
course if you have failed it once. Thus, take the course seriously the first time through.
Chem 102 Fall 2012
Tentative Course Schedule
Instructor: Dr. Thomas Minehan
Week
Topics
Reading
Aug. 28, 30
Chemical Kinetics
Chapter 13.1-13.4
Sept. 4, 6
Chemical Kinetics
Chapter 13.5-13.7
Assessment
Quiz 1
9/4, 9/6
Sept. 11, 13
Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 14.1-14.5
Sept. 18, 20
Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 14.6-14.9
Quiz 2
9/18, 9/20
Sept. 25, 27
Acids and Bases
Chapter 15.1-15.4
Oct. 2
Exam #1
Oct. 4, 9
Acids and Bases
Chapter 15.5-15.11
Oct 11,16
Aqueous Ionic Equilibria
Chapter 16.1-16.3
Quiz 3
10/9, 10/11
Oct 18,23
Aqueous Ionic Equilibria
Chapter 16.4-16.6
Oct. 25 , Nov1
Thermodynamics
Chapter 17.1-17.6
Quiz 4
10/23, 10/25
Oct. 30
Exam #2
Nov. 6, 8
Thermodynamics
Chapter 17.7-17.9
Nov. 13, 15
Electrochemistry
Chapter 18.1-18.6
Quiz 5
11/13, 11/15
Nov. 20
Electrochemistry
Chapter 18.7-18.9
Nov 27
Exam #3
Nov. 29
Nuclear Chemistry
Chapter 19.1-19.3
Dec. 4,6
Nuclear Chemistry
Chapter 19.4-19.9
Quiz 6
14/4, 12/6
Dec. 11
FINAL EXAM
(cumulative)
Assigned End-of-Chapter Problems from Tro, Volume 2:
Chapter 13: #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 26, 32, 34, 40, 44, 50, 52, 56, 58, 72, 74
Chapter 14: #2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 28, 38, 42, 48, 52, 62
Chapter 15: #4, 6, 9, 18, 34, 36, 42, 50, 60, 62, 86, 88, 96, 100
Chapter 16: #2, 4, 21, 28, 30,40, 50, 62, 68, 82, 84, 86, 88
Chapter 17: #7, 12, 14, 15, 30, 32, 34, 36, 42, 48, 54, 56, 68, 70, 72
Chapter 18: #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 40a, 42a, 48, 50, 54, 66, 70, 74