CHE 140 Spring 2026 General Chemistry Syllabus Overview

Course Structure and Weekly Topics

Introduction

This syllabus outlines the weekly topics, laboratory exercises, and chapter assignments for a General Chemistry college course (CHE 140). The schedule covers foundational and advanced topics in chemistry, including laboratory techniques and core theoretical concepts.

Week-by-Week Breakdown

• Week 1: Lab Orientation & Dimensional Analysis - Introduction to laboratory safety and procedures - Dimensional analysis: converting units and understanding measurement systems - Key Concept: Dimensional analysis is essential for solving chemistry problems involving unit conversions. - Example: Converting grams to moles using molar mass.

• Week 2: Matter and Its Components - Classification of matter: elements, compounds, mixtures - Physical vs. chemical properties - Key Concept: Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. - Example: Distinguishing between homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.

• Week 3: Densities of Elements and Solutions - Definition and calculation of density ($\text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}}$) - Applications in identifying substances - Example: Determining the density of a metal sample.

• Week 4: Chemistry of Everyday Chemicals - Common chemicals in household products - Safety and chemical properties - Key Concept: Everyday chemicals often have important roles in cleaning, preservation, and health.

• Week 5: Stoichiometry of Nitrite Compounds - Balancing chemical equations - Mole-to-mole relationships in reactions - Formula: $\text{Moles} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Molar Mass}}$

• Week 6: Preparation and Dilution of Food Coloring Dyes - Solution preparation and concentration calculations - Formula: $M_1V_1 = M_2V_2$ (dilution equation)

• Week 7: Reactions in Aqueous Solution - Types of aqueous reactions: precipitation, acid-base, redox - Key Concept: Many chemical reactions occur in water due to its solvent properties.

• Week 8: The Ideal Gas Exercise - Gas laws: Boyle's, Charles's, and Ideal Gas Law - Formula: $PV = nRT$

• Week 10: Calorimetry - Measurement of heat changes in chemical reactions - Formula: $q = mc\Delta T$

• Week 11: Volumetric Determination of Acetic Acid - Titration techniques and calculations - Key Concept: Titration is used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution.

• Week 12: Quantitative Analysis of Chloride Ion - Gravimetric and volumetric analysis methods - Application: Determining salt content in food samples.

• Week 13: Thermochemistry of a Redox Reaction - Energy changes in oxidation-reduction reactions - Formula: $\Delta H = \sum H_{\text{products}} - \sum H_{\text{reactants}}$

• Week 14: Molecular Structure & VSEPR - Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory - Predicting molecular shapes - Example: Water ($H_2O$) has a bent shape due to lone pairs.

• Week 15: Molecular Structure and Solubility - Relationship between molecular polarity and solubility - Key Concept: "Like dissolves like"—polar substances dissolve in polar solvents.

• Week 16: Determination of Molecular Weight by Freezing Point Depression - Colligative properties and molecular weight calculations - Formula: $\Delta T_f = K_f m$

• Week 17: Cumulative Final Exam - Review and assessment of all course topics

Laboratory Techniques and Procedures

• Lab safety and orientation

• Dimensional analysis and measurement

• Preparation and dilution of solutions

• Calorimetry and thermochemistry

• Titration and quantitative analysis

• Determination of molecular weight using colligative properties

Additional info:

• This syllabus covers nearly all major topics in a General Chemistry course, including matter, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermochemistry, molecular structure, and laboratory techniques.

• Some weeks are dedicated to laboratory exercises, which reinforce theoretical concepts through hands-on experimentation.