Chemistry for Civil Engineers

Abstract

Stoichiometry, atoms, molecules, chemical bond and molecular structure, gases, solutions, chemical equilibrium, solubility, acids and bases, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, the solid state (salts, covalent solids, metals).

Objective

Understanding the basic principles of chemistry with particular emphasis on quantitative aspects.

Content

Stoichiometry: formulas and reactions, composition, molecular mass and the concept of mole. Atoms and molecules: ionisation potential, electron affinity, and electronegativity. Ionic and covalent bond. Lewis electron-dot diagrams, VSEPR Model. Gases: pressure and temperature (definitions), gas laws (Boyle, Charles, Avogadro), ideal gas law, partial pressure, kinetic gas theory, real gases (van der Waals). Solutions and concentration (mass percentage, molarity, molality, mole fraction). The chemical equilibrium in the gas phase, effects of concentration, pressure, and temperature. Heterogeneous equilibria (solubility). Conjugate acid-base pair, autoionization of water, pH calculations for strong and weak acids and bases, hydrolysis, buffer solutions, indicators, titrations, solubility and pH. Thermodynamics: thermochemistry, enthalpy and 1st law, temperature-dependence of enthalpies. Spontaneous processes, entropy and 2nd law, 3rd law, the Gibbs free energy G as criterion of spontaneity, G° and the equilibrium constant, van't Hoff equation, Colligative properties of solutions. Redox processes: oxidation numbers, half-reactions, balancing redox equations, electrochemical cells, standard potentials E°, Nernst equation. Relationship between thermodynamics, max. electrical work, and equilibrium. Corrosion. The solid state: salts, covalent solids, metals.

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