BCB I: General Chemistry

Abstract

The general chemistry practical course aims at preparing the students for the work in modern chemistry laboratory. The students are trained to behave safely in the laboratory and use chemicals, chemistry glassware, and related equipment to perform and analyze the equilibrium in basic chemical reactions.

Objective

The students are expected to gain practical experience with as well as establish understanding of the following concepts and phenomena: - Safe behavior and safety regulations in chemistry laboratory; - Best practices in common techniques (purification, recrystallization, distillation, etc.); - Analysis of measured values (measuring error, average value, error analysis); - Acid-base-equilibria (strengths of acids and bases, pH- and pKa-values, titrations, buffer systems); - Precipitation equilibria (gravimetry, potentiometry, conductivity measurements); - Oxidation state and redox reactions (redox-titrations, galvanic elements); - Metal complexes (syntheses of complexes, ligand exchange reactions, complexometric titration) - Qualitative analysis (cation and anion separation, determination of cations and anions).

Content

In the general chemistry practical course students are introduced to the work in chemistry laboratory. During the course they become familiar with common chemistry glassware and related equipment as well as learn basic experimental procedures, such as distillation, recrystallization, purification, digestion etc. Upon the measurements of pH, conductivity, and potential in the course of reactions, students establish the understanding of the chemical equilibrium concept. Students work with various classes of inorganic compounds and types of chemical reactions, e.g. acid-base, redox, precipitation. They also obtain first experience with the synthesis of metal complexes as well as learn basics of qualitative analysis of an unknown substance.

Resources