CH1IN1-Fundamentals of Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: A level Chemistry, or equivalent
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: CH1FC1 Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry 1 and CH1FC3 Molecular Studies for the Life Sciences or CH1IN4 Inorganic Chemistry for Biological Sciences
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Prof Matthew Almond

Email: m.j.almond@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of Inorganic Chemistry to act as a foundation for the remainder of the course.

Aims:
The module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of Inorganic Chemistry to act as a foundation for the remainder of the course.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students should be able to describe fundamental principles of atomic structure, give the electronic structures of atoms and their quantum numbers. Students should appreciate how the electronic structure of atoms leads to the build-up of the periodic table.
Students should be able to construct and interpret simple M O diagrams for diatomics; define and apply the terms used in co-ordination chemistry including asymmetry.
Students should have an understanding of the concept of ionic bonding and the stability and structures of ionic solids. Students should be able to recognise and illustrate simple solid state structures and have an understanding of interactions in ionic solids. Students should understand the basic types of packing as related to atoms in metallic structures and ions in the ionic solids encountered above.
Students should be able to display a knowledge of the chemistry of hydrogen and the s and p block elements of groups 1, 2 and 17 and their compounds.
Students should have a fundamental understanding of the properties of the elements of the first transition series, coordination complexes, their bonding, isomerism and stability.

Additional outcomes:
Students will enhance their team working skills by various related problem solving workshops and appreciate the three dimensional nature of solid state structures by model building. Students will practise and develop their oral communication skills by contributions to small group tutorials.

Outline content:

Atomic and molecular structure and an introduction to the periodic table Atomic structure, the radial distribution function, quantum numbers, atomic orbitals, the atomic spectrum of hydrogen. The aufbau principle, electronic configurations. Formation of molecular orbitals for homo- and hetero-nuclear diatomic molecules and triatomic molecules, including electron deficient bonding. Combinations of molecular orbitals in the bonding of polyatomics exemplified by methane. VSEPR theory and the shapes of simple molecules. The chemistry of hydrogen and the s- and p-block elements of groups 1, 2 and 17.  d-Block Elements. Trends in properties. Brief survey of chemistry of Sc to Ni. Co-ordination compounds: nomenclature, electron configurations, ligands, geometries, isomerism. Nature of the co-ordinative bond in transition metal chemistry. ; co-ordination geometries; electron configuration and preferred coordination number. Stability of complexes in solution. Hard and soft character as determining ligand preferences. Introduction to crystal field theory for octahedral complexes. Origin of colour in transition metal complexes. Structural Chemistry. Simple close-packed and cubic arrangements, structures of metallic elements and bonding. Construction of ionic lattices based on simple packing arrangements described above. Radius ratio rules and their use in predicting structure. Simple structural models in inorganic chemistry; the ionic model and its applications. Ionic lattices, lattice enthalpy and the Born Haber Cycle. Experimental methods for the determination of structures of solids. Review Lectures Revision of material covered in all courses in preparation for the final exam will be given in the Summer term before the examination.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Three one-hour lectures per week with approximately two tutorials and six workshops on related material.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	31		4
Seminars	6
Tutorials	2
Guided independent study:	81		76
Total hours by term	38
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Class test administered by School	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
2 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Coursework
Students will attend tutorials and workshops on the material covered in this module. Attendance is compulsory at both. Both tutorial work and workshop problems will form the basis of the test held at the end of the autumn term.
Tutorial work must be submitted by the deadlines specified according to the tutorial grid on the Blackboard site.
One x one hour test at the end of the start of the spring term based on tutorial and workshop material contributing 25% towards the final module mark. A feedback session on this test will be held.

Formative assessment methods:
There is ample opportunity for feedback both in weekly workshops and tutorials, in the feedback session for the end of term test.

Penalties for late submission:

For students on chemistry-based degree courses any unexplained absence from more than two tutorials in chemistry in any term will automatically incur a formal warning from the School Director of Teaching and Learning.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy. Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University-administered re-examination period in August. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 15 July 2019