CH 201 Chemistry for Engineers 1

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 4

First course in a two-term sequence designed for engineering majors who intend to transfer to Oregon State University’s engineering program. Covers definitions, measurements, atomic nucleus, elements, compounds, binary nomenclature, bonding models, solutions, Lewis structures, VESPR theory, Shapes and polarity of molecules, intermolecular forces, and chemical thermodynamics: heat, work and energy.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher); and placement into MTH 111Z (or higher), or completion of MTH 095 (or higher, except MTH 098 and MTH 105Z); or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Recommended: Co-enrollment in CH 211, consult with instructor.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Estimate the uncertainties inherent in all scientific measurements and calculations and report answers to the correct number of significant figures.
Generate and test models in a logical and objective manner and use them to explain observed natural phenomena.
Collect, organize, analyze and interpret data and identify key trends and relationships.
Perform experiments safely, make observations, summarize data in tables, maintain laboratory notebooks and write concise laboratory reports using spreadsheets and word processor skills.
Use units, conversion factors, formulas, balanced chemical equations, moles and mole ratios to solve many interesting, community-related and practical scientific problems.
Determine energy flow in chemical systems.
Use the fundamental language of chemistry to convey chemistry concepts.
Determine bonding patterns and chemical formulas of compounds.
Recognize and determine products of the major classes of chemical reactions.
Use the ideal gas law and Van Der Waals equations to determine gas properties.
Use Quantum Theory with respect to atomic and molecular structure.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Content Outline

Keys to the Study of Chemistry
- Properties of matter
- The scientific approach: developing a model
- Chemical problem solving
- Measurements, uncertainty and significant figures, precision, accuracy
Components of Matter
- Elements, compounds and mixtures: an atomic overview
- Atomic view of matter, Dalton’s atomic theory
- Elements and the periodic table
- Compounds: bonding, formulas, names and masses
Stoichiometry: Mole-Mass-Number Relationships in Chemical Systems
- Moles and molar mass
- Determining the formula of an unknown compound
- Writing and balancing chemical equations and calculating the amounts of reactants and products
- Molarity and solution stoichiometry
Major Classes of Chemical Reactions
- Aqueous solutions
- Precipitation reactions
- Acid/base reactions
- Redox reactions
Gases and the Kinetic-Molecular Theory
- Gas pressure and its measurement
- The empirical and ideal gas laws
- Density, partial pressure/molar mass
- Stoichiometry of gas reactions
- Kinetic-molecular theory as a model of gas behavior
- Real gases
Thermochemistry: Energy Flow and Chemical Change
- Forms of energy and their interconversion
- Enthalpy, bond strengths and heats of reaction
- Calorimetry: laboratory measurement of heats of reaction
- Stoichiometry of thermochemical equations
- Hess’s law of heat summation and standard heats of reaction
Quantum Theory: Atomic and Molecular Structure
- Atomic spectra and the bohr model of the hydrogen atom
- The quantum-mechanical model of the atom
- Trends in key atomic properties