An introduction to essential concepts in Chemistry

Aims

This course aims to help you to: 

• gain confidence and understanding of the core chemical concepts
   
• increase your interest and curiosity in the subject
   
• expand your knowledge and understanding of essential concepts
   
• introduce you to complex new concepts 

Content

This course provides an overview of the basic concepts of the structure of the atom, and the principles that lead atoms to assemble together to give compounds through chemical reactions. The course will review the fundamental chemical calculations to work out moles, mass and particles using Avogadro's number, followed by molarity questions, the process of making aqueous solutions, and – finally – how to explain in-depth mathematical concepts relating to weak acids and bases, in order to calculate the pH of strong and weak acids. 

We will then look at the ionic product of water, using Le Chatelier's principle for a dynamic equilibrium to calculate the pH of weak acids and bases.

The course also outlines the physical principles of thermodynamics for endothermic and exothermic reactions, the direct calculations of enthalpy change of combustion, reaction and neutralisation from experimental results and the use of Hess's law to calculate indirectly the enthalpy change of a reaction quantitatively. 

We will see examples of reactions which are thermodynamically feasible, but which do not happen: we will explore the reasons why this is the case. We will study the kinetics of reactions using the principles of the collision theory, and the factors that affect the rate of a reaction. You will learn why some reactions are completed within a fraction of a second whereas others may 
take centuries.

Finally, we will review the main functional groups of organic chemistry and key spectroscopic techniques for their identification.

Presentation of the course

Although the five sessions will follow a traditional, podium-based format, Dr Sonia Lozano Yeste aims to make lectures as interactive and engaging as possible, so expect questions to be asked of the audience! There will be plenty of opportunity to ask individual questions too, during the course. Sessions will also include some videos of some simple practical demonstrations.

Course sessions

1. Atomic structure, the periodic table and bonding 
   How atoms assemble together to form compounds and the reactivity trends of the periodic table
    
2. Moles, molarity, and aqueous solutions; strong acids and bases 
   The concept of a mole; how to convert between moles, mass and particles using Avogadro’s numbers; how to answer molarity questions and make aqueous solutions. Defining acids (and bases) using the Brønsted-Lowry theory and calculating the pH of a strong acid and 
   strong base
    
3. Dynamic equilibrium; weak acids and bases 
   Understanding dynamic equilibria, equilibrium constants and how they apply to weak acids. Understanding the relationship between the ionic product of water and pH. Tackling in-depth mathematical concepts regarding weak acids and bases which help to calculate the pH of weak acid solution
    
4. Introduction to thermodynamics and collision theory 
   Introducing the concept of thermodynamics using a qualitative approach via enthalpy level diagrams. Endothermic and exothermic reactions, and how Hess’s law helps to solve the enthalpy change of a reaction. Collision theory and the factors that affect the rate of a reaction.
    
5. Introduction to organic chemistry and spectroscopy
   Identifying functional groups in organic molecules and understanding their importance in organic chemistry. Characterisation techniques such as infrared, and NMR and their applications in research

Learning outcomes

You are expected to gain from this course a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course. 

The learning outcomes for this course are to:

• understand the underlying concepts that underpin general chemical reactions
   
• understand key concepts regarding equilibria and properties of acids and bases
   
• understand the physical principles of thermodynamic and kinetic theory
   
• understand key spectroscopic techniques to characterise the main organic functional groups 
  and their applications in research 

Required reading

The idea of this lecture course is to introduce you to key concepts in chemistry, providing a greater understanding of how the world works on a fundamental level. There is no required reading as the course is self-contained. However, you would certainly benefit from reading the Chemistry books below:

Chang, Raymond and Goldsby, Kenneth, General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts (McGraw Hill 2013)

Houk, Clifford, C and Post, Richard, Chemistry: Concepts and Problems: A Self-Teaching 

Guide (Jossey-Bass 2020) ISBN 978-1119632566

Typical week: Monday to Friday 

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.   

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to your learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events. 

Evaluation and Academic Credit  

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.  

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay. 

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit. 

Certificate of attendance 

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.