Chemistry I

Abstract

Introduction to the basics, terms and concepts of general chemistry, their application to questions in material science and their connection to laboratory experiments and projects.

Objective

1) Students can describe the different atomic structures of metals, polymers and ceramics and derive basic material-typical properties. 2) Students are familiar with the concept of mole and molar mass and can perform stoichiometric calculations. 3) Students are able to formulate the law of mass action and, with the help of the equilibrium constant, make statements about the position of equilibrium. They understand how a chemical equilibrium reacts to changes in concentration, pressure and temperature and how to apply Le Châtelier's principle. 4) Students can define oxidation and reduction, determine oxidation numbers, assign reducing and oxidizing agents and calculate redox potentials. They can transfer the basics of redox chemistry to material science processes and applications such as corrosion or batteries. 5) They can explain the terms acid and base, understand what pH means and they can perform pH calculations. They can describe the meaning of acids and bases using material science examples.

Content

We start the lecture with the question what chemistry has to do with material science. After that, we devote ourselves to the classification and separation of substances. In the next chapter we discuss the atomic structure and the periodic table. After the introduction to stoichiometry, the field of chemistry that deals with the amounts of substances added and formed in chemical reactions, we will cover the concept of chemical equilibrium, where we will learn about the law of mass action, equilibrium constants, solubility product, and also acid-base equilibria. In the final block of the lecture, materials science will once again be in the focus when we discuss redox reactions, electrochemistry and corrosion as well as the influence of chemical bonding on material properties. For each chapter we will solve exercises together in class.

Resources