Unit details

CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

If this unit does not have an online alternative, then students who are presently unable to enter Western Australia and whose studies would be delayed by an inability to complete this unit, should contact the unit coordinator (details given on this page) to ascertain, on an individual case-by-case basis, if alternate arrangements can be made to support their study in this unit.

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Semester 1	Albany	Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 1 core unit in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Genetics; Geochemistry; Chemistry - Synthetic; Chemistry - Physical and Analytical; Molecular Life Sciences; Biochemistry of Nutrition major sequences
• Level 1 elective

Content

This unit focuses on the chemical properties and description of matter at the macroscopic level. It comprises one half of the Level 1 units taken for a Chemistry major, but also acts as a service unit for students in a variety of other majors. The unit introduces essential knowledge and principles in the areas of thermodynamics, gases, intermolecular interactions and the nature of liquids, solids and solutions, chemical kinetics, aspects of chemical equilibrium including acids, bases and solubility, electrochemistry and the chemistry of non-metals. It provides an essential foundation for more advanced studies in these topics.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) understand principles and concepts related to (a) thermochemistry and thermodynamics; (b) the nature of gases, liquids and solids, and the important intermolecular forces; (c) the description of the rates of chemical reactions; (d) chemical equilbrium; (e) properties of solutions and solution phenomena including acid–base chemistry and solubility; (f) oxidation and reduction reactions; and (g) the chemistry of the non-metals; (2) acquire basic practical skills in (a) basic experimental techniques in physical chemistry; (b) demonstration, manipulation and use of basic chemicals and standard laboratory apparatus; and (c) recording and analysis of experimental measurements and procedures; and (3) gain skills in scientific writing, problem solving, critical analysis and teamwork, as well as basic research skills.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) final examination; (2) online quizzes; and (3) practical component—six laboratory sessions. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Duncan Wild (1st Semester) and Dr Dino Spagnoli (2nd Semester)

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Chemistry ATAR or WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or TEE Chemistry or equivalent or CHEM1105 Introductory Chemistry or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry

Incompatibility:

CHEM1101 Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, CHEM1104 Biological Inorganic and Physical Chemistry

Contact hours

lectures: 3 hours per week; labs: 3 hours per week (for 6 weeks) (unsatisfactory attendance and/or performance at the laboratory sessions leads to a laboratory mark of zero)

Note

CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics and CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity can be taken in any order and are both offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Text

Mahaffy, P. et al. Chemistry: Human Activity, Chemical Reactivity: Nelson Education Ltd 2011