CHEM 012
General Chemistry
Spring 2007
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Phone:
Mrs. Tracy A. Halmi
35 Hammermill
tracy@psu.edu
(814) 898-6045
Class Hours:
Office Hours:
Web page:
M/W/F 9:05 - 9:55 AM
M/F 10:10 – 11:00 AM
M 1:25 – 2:15 PM & by appt.
http://chemistry.bd.psu.edu/halmi/
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to modern chemistry. Basic concepts and quantitative relationships in
chemistry will be explored including chemical history, structure of the atom, nomenclature, gas laws,
stoichiometry, reactions in aqueous solution, thermochemistry, periodic trends of the elements, quantum
theory, chemical bonding and much more. The lectures will follow closely with the subject material as it
is presented in the text. However, lectures are not simple recounts of the assigned reading material but
rather are intended to supplement and focus the text. Regular class attendance is expected. This course
is designed to teach chemical principles to science and engineering majors. Along with CHEM 014 this
course fulfills the general education requirement for natural sciences (GN).
Prerequisites:
It is assumed that you have had algebra (including logarithms) in high school. If your math skills are
weak, you should not be in this course. If you have any doubts or questions about this course or your
preparation for it you are strongly urged to consult the instructor as soon as possible.
Instructional Materials:
Required:
"Chemistry" by Steven S. Zumdahl & Susan A. Zumdahl, 6th edition
Optional:
"Partial Student Solutions Guide" by Hummel, Zumdahl, & Zumdahl, 6th edition
Attendance:
It is very important that you attend class regularly as much of the assigned problems and exams will be
from the lecture. A grade of W is awarded to students who withdraw from the course prior to the Late
Drop Period (April 13th). Students are advised to discuss attendance irregularities or poor class
performance with the instructor. Do not simply stop your attendance. This could result in an F for the
course.
Homework:
A representative set of problems, from the end of each chapter, is assigned on the tentative schedule.
You should work out the suggested problems since they are typical of what you are expected to master.
Satisfactory performance in this course requires that you regularly complete and understand the
homework problems. These problems will not be graded; however, you should do as many problems
and questions as necessary to understand the course material. Even though homework will not count
towards your final grade, it will help prepare you for the exams. Answers to selected problems can be
found on the course web page.
Daily Problems:
There will be one problem assigned at the beginning of each lecture. Each problem will be due at the
beginning of the following class period. For example: Monday’s lecture problem will be due at the
beginning of class on Wednesday. IMPORTANT: Turned in problems will consist of one page of
loose-leaf paper (not torn from a spiral notebook), with your name, date, and problem number in
the upper right-hand corner. The complete problem should be written out followed by the worked out
solution and a circled answer. The problem will be collected before class starts.
These problems will not be accepted early or late under any circumstances. They are graded as
follows: Correct work and answer, 2 pts; attempted, but incorrect answer, 1 pt; minimal effort or not
turned in, failure to use loose leaf paper, forgetting to put your name on the paper, not writing out the
complete problem, showing no work, turning the problem in at the end of class, or not circling your
answer, 0 pts. The total possible for these problems are 90 points. In addition, there will be 10
discretionary points based on attendance, class participation, completion of assignments, etc., for a class
total of 100 points.
Quizzes & Exams:
There will be three (3) 100-point exams and a comprehensive final exam worth 200 points.
Examinations will be given during class on the following Fridays: February 16, March 23, and April
20. Exams may include problems, short answer, multiple choice, true/false and some essay. Partial
credit is given only if you show all necessary work. Points will be deducted for not including units and
not using the correct number significant figures in your final answer. Make-up exams will only be given
for legitimate absences officially recognized by Penn State University. No exceptions will be made. A
student having a legitimate excuse for missing any of the three scheduled exams will be provided with a
single make-up opportunity near the end of the semester. This make-up exam will cover the material of
all exams. Individual make-ups following each exam will not be provided. It is the responsibility of the
student to notify the instructor if an exam will be missed and arrange the make-up before April 1st.
Academic Penalty:
It is expected that each student will do his/her own work on all assignments including daily problems,
homework, quizzes and exams. There are severe penalties for plagiarism and cheating. Proven cases of
academic dishonesty will result in an XF for the course. For more information see the Academic
Integrity & Academic Dishonesty (Senate Policy 49-20) at http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/ or
Behrend’s Academic Integrity policy at http://www.pserie.psu.edu/faculty/academics/integrity.htm.
Note:
Be aware that if you will be taking Chemistry 13, a standardized General Chemistry exam prepared by
the American Chemical Society will be given. It is a 2-hour, comprehensive (Chemistry 12 and
Chemistry 13), multiple-choice exam that will be part of your Chemistry 13 grade.
Tentative Schedule*
Date
Reading
Assigned Problems
January 15
No class
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 17 – 22
Chapter 1
26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 54, 60, 86
January 24 – 31
Chapter 2
26, 28, 40, 50, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 76, 78, 80, 82
February 2 – 14
Chapter 3
February 16
Exam #1
28, 30, 34, 36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 50, 55, 62, 64,
66, 69, 76, 78, 80, 86, 98, 100, 109, 112, 114, 124, 126
Please bring a calculator to the exam.
February 19 – 28
Chapter 4
11, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 30, 33, 36, 40, 42, 43,
46, 48, 50, 56, 60, 62, 64, 75, 82, 94
March 2 – 9
Chapter 5
March 12 - 16
No class
32, 34, 36, 38, 50, 60, 65, 114, 119
Spring Break
March 19 – 21
Chapter 6
24, 28, 34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 48, 54, 56, 58
March 23
Exam #2
Please bring a calculator to the exam.
March 26 – 30
Chapter 6
60, 62, 79, 81, 84, 86, 92
April 2 – 13
Chapter 7
42, 46, 52, 62, 68, 74, 86, 88, 90, 92, 96, 104, 123, 125, 127
April 16 – 18
Chapter 8
April 20
Exam #3
22, 24, 29, 34, 36, 38, 42, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 72, 74
Please bring a calculator to the exam.
April 23 – 30
Chapter 8
77, 78, 84, 88, 90, 99, 114, 116
May 2 - 4
TBA
Chapter 9
21, 22
Final Exam
Good Luck!!
*Schedule subject to change!!
Grades:
Exams (3 x 100 pts) 300 pts
Final Exam
200 pts
Daily Problems
90 pts
Discretionary
10 pts
Total
600 pts
The final letter grade will be assigned according to the table below.
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F
Percentage
94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
70-76%
60-69%
0-59%