Course content

Stoichiometry, gass law, chemical equilibria, aqueous ionic equilibria. Acid-base and redox equilibria. Basic chemical thermodynamics, energy, entropy, enthalpy, Gibbs energy. Calculations of equilibria from thermodynamical data. Chemical kinetics, reaction rate and mechanism. Electrochemistry: Electrolysis, galvanic cells, batteries and fuel cells, corrosion of metals. Chemical bond. Basic organic chemistry and polymer chemistry. Laboratory exercises give furthe insight into the following topics: Chemical principles: Stoichiometry, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, reduction and oxidation, kinetics. Quantitative methods: Titration, instrumental methods: pH-electrode, redox-electrode, spectrophotometer.

Learning outcome

The subject aims at giving an introduction to basic chemistry. The close relationship between modern chemistry and physics will be emphasized. Chemistry and environment will be stressed in connection with certain topics. In the laboratory the students are supposed to obtain a deeper understanding of the principles through the experiments, and be trained in working accurately.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, exercises and laboratory work. Demonstrations. 50% of the written exercises have to be passed in order to take the final exam. All laboratory exercises must be performed satisfactorily. Optional "milestone exams" will be held, in addition to the final exam. Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The portfolio includes a final written exam (76%) and two midterm tests (each 12%). The results for the parts are given in %-scores, while the entire portfolio is assigned a letter grade. A postponed exam may be arranged as an oral test rather than a written test.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Knowledge of the more important elements and chemical compounds is expected. Also the understanding of chemical formulas and equations, the concepts of atoms, molecules, and moles. Calculations with logarithms and exponents should be mastered.

Course materials

Steven S. Zumdahl: Chemical Principles, 6. ed. (or earlier), Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Aylward og Findlay: SI Chemical Data 5. ed., Wiley, 2002. "Laboratoriekurs i kjemi", Tapir. K.S. Førland: "Sikkerhet og førstehjelp i laboratoriet", 8 utg., Tapir, 1995.

Credit reductions