CH160-30 Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
Introductory description
The aim of this module is to provide students with a foundational understanding of the effect that quantization of energy levels in atoms affects the structure of the compounds that result from bonding atoms together. As such it provides a fundamental look at chemical bonding and interatomic interactions, and the way these determine the structure and reactivity of inorganic compounds. Later parts of the module apply an understanding of bonding to two further areas: the chemistry of transition metal complexes and the redox properties of main group compounds.
Module aims
The aim of this module is to provide students with a foundational understanding of the effect that quantization of energy levels in atoms affects the structure of the compounds that result from bonding atoms together. As such it provides a fundamental look at chemical bonding and interatomic interactions, and the way these determine the structure and reactivity of inorganic compounds. Later parts of the module apply an understanding of bonding to two further areas: the chemistry of transition metal complexes and the redox properties of main group compounds.
The majority of the module content is drawn from components of A-level syllabuses. As such, most students will already be familiar with some aspects of the module syllabus, but the pattern of familiarity will be heterogeneous across the class. The primary aim of the module is to equip all students with the necessary mathematical skills to succeed in their chemistry degree at Warwick. The module is structured to allow individual students to concentrate their time on those areas of the module with which they are unfamiliar.
The skills component will include a range of transferrable and chemistry-specific skills to support their studies and careers e.g. research skills and coding.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Atomic structure, electronic structure of atoms (quantisation in a non-mathematical sense), bonding (simple MO for diatomics, ionic bonding and structures, metallic bonding). Introduction to coordination chemistry (crystal field theory, spectrochemical series, high spin/low spin, CFSE, complex formation and isomers, chelate effect), main group chemistry (periodicity, redox properties). Acidity and Redox reactions.
The skills component is designed to develop a range of transferrable and chemistry-specific skills to support students' studies and careers e.g. research skills and coding.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Identify the electronic structure of atoms
- Understand orbitals as wave functions and their interactions
- Identify the shape and symmetry features of simple molecules and metal complexes
- Assign ionic structures to solid compounds and perform calculations on the physical properties
- Understand the energetics of bonding
- Sketch molecular orbital diagrams of simple molecules
- Identify the electronic configuration of metal complexes
- Predict reactivity and magnetic properties of metal complexes
- Perform calculations on redox reactions
- Work out acidic constants, pH, concentrations of Bronsted acids and bases
- Evaluate the reactivity of Lewis acids
Indicative reading list
“Inorganic Chemistry” 7th ed. Rourke et al. Oxford University Press
Subject specific skills
Numeracy
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Transferable skills
Numeracy
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 60 sessions of 1 hour (20%) |
| Tutorials | 7 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Private study | 233 hours (78%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
N/A
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D3
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Assessed | 20% | |
| In-person Examination | 80% | |
|
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Feedback on assessment
Cohort level examination feedback provided via Moodle. Written feedback provided for assessed work components.
Post-requisite modules
If you pass this module, you can take:
- CH272-15 Materials and Polymers
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
UCHA-4 Undergraduate Chemistry (with Intercalated Year) Variants
- Year 1 of F101 Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of F122 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
-
UCHA-3 Undergraduate Chemistry 3 Year Variants
- Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F121 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
-
UCHA-F110 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
- Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F110 MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
- Year 1 of F112 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry with Industrial Placement
- Year 1 of UCHA-F107 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
-
UCHA-F109 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 1 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 1 of F111 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with International Placement)
-
UCHA-4M Undergraduate Master of Chemistry Variants
- Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F105 Chemistry
- Year 1 of F110 MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
- Year 1 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
- Year 1 of F125 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
- Year 1 of UCHA-F127 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry(with Intercalated Year)