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Chemistry 11500
General Chemistry I
TR 12:30-1:50, Gyte 103
Spring 2015
Harold W. Pinnick, PhD
Purdue University Calumet

Office: Gyte 275 Phone: 219-989-2324 e-mail: pinnickh@purduecal.edu

Office Hours: MTWR 11-12, MW 2-3, TR 2-4, and by appointment
Text: Chemistry, M. S. Silberberg and P. G. Amateis, 7th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2015: available
as hardcopy (bound or loose leaf) or e-book – older editions may be ok as well (see below).
Software: ChemOffice (PUC site license -- free)
Laboratory: Each student is enrolled in a lab section which meets in Gyte 202. You will need a
notebook (composition or spiral bound), safety goggles, paper towels, and a lock. Experimental
procedures are available via Blackboard (free).

Chemistry 11500 is an introduction to chemistry with special emphasis on topics of

significance to general science and engineering.* It is the first of a two-course sequence, CHM
11500 and CHM 11600. The main objective is to provide an understanding of the fundamentals
of chemistry – elements, compounds, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, molecular geometry,
gases, atomic structure, periodic relationships, solid state, thermochemistry, and
thermodynamics. You are encouraged to form study groups to aid in mastering concepts. A
supplemental instructor will be assigned to assist you as well and will schedule review/help
sessions. If you do not understand a concept, please seek help immediately. In-class
questions will use i>clicker2 technology – 100 points are available. You can choose between
an i>clicker2 (from the bookstore or via the internet (e.g. http://www1.iclicker.com/purchase))
and a web clicker which requires you to have a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with access to the
internet. There is a 14-day trial available to try this latter option – see http://www.iclickergo.com.
After this free trial period, you will need to purchase a subscription to continue using the app
version of the clicker. From the past, there are possible sporadic glitches with the web clicker
option but this option is less expensive and perhaps more convenient. You must register your
clicker in Blackboard (link on Blackboard).

* Specific course outcomes are as follows: Chap. 1: Identify physical and chemical
properties and change, understand precision and accuracy, and be able to use
conversion factors; Chap. 2: Identify and name elements, compounds, and mixtures,
understand the organization of the Periodic Table; Chap. 3: Understand the mole
concept and stoichiometry and be able to do percent yield calculations; Chap. 4:
Recognize acids and bases and recognize and balance redox reactions; Chap. 5: Be
able to use the ideal gas law and apply gas mixture relationships; Chap. 6: Understand
and apply thermodynamic relationships; Chap. 7: Understand simple quantum theory;
Chap. 8: Relate periodic table and useful trends; Chap. 9: Understand bonding types;
Chap. 10: Predict molecular shapes; Chap. 11: Relate molecular orbital and valence
bond theories to bonding.
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Online homework The online homework can be accessed either via the Connect/LearnSmart
system or via Sapling Learning. The first is from the text book publisher (McGraw-Hill) and
requires an access code which can be purchased without the book if one wishes to do this.
The online problems are for necessary practice of many concepts to be covered in the course.
A total of 100 points is available but gaining full credit may not be easy or expected. The
LearnSmart aspect of the Connect package allows you to explore concepts in an interactive
manner. Sapling Learning also provides online homework potentially at a lower cost than the
Connect system. There are additional/supplemental problems available for practice (do not
count in final grade). Connect is integrated with Blackboard but Sapling Learning is not.
Sapling Learning Instructions:
1. Go to http://www2.saplinglearning.com/ and click on "US Higher Ed" at the top right.
2a. If you already have a Sapling Learning account, log in and skip to step 3.
2b. If you have a Facebook account, you can use it to quickly create a Sapling Learning
account. Click “Create an Account”, then “Create my account through Facebook”. You will be
prompted to log into Facebook if you aren't already. Choose a username and password, then
click “Link Account”. You can then skip to step 3.
2c. Otherwise, click "Create an Account". Supply the requested information and click "Create My
Account". Check your email (and spam filter) for a message from Sapling Learning and click on
the link provided in that email.
3. Find your course in the list (you may need to expand the subject and term categories) and
click the link (Purdue University, Calumet - CHM 11500 - Spring15 - PINNICK).
4. Select a payment option and following the remaining instructions.
Once you have registered and enrolled, you can log in at any time to complete or review your
homework assignments. During sign up or throughout the term, if you have any technical
problems or grading issues, send an email to support@saplinglearning.com explaining the
issue. The Sapling Learning support team is almost always faster and better able to resolve
issues than your instructor.

See last page.

The online problems are organized in 11 sets which cover topics in the syllabus, coordinated
with the chapter to be covered. Deadlines are as follows (all are due at 11:55pm on the dates
indicated (Sundays); note that the lowest grade of the 11 sets will be dropped:

Chemistry January 18
Matter January 25
Stoichiometry February 1
Chemical Reactions February 15
Gases February 22
Thermochemistry March 1
Quantum March 29
Periodic Trends April 5
Bonding April 12
Molecular Shape April 19
Bonding Theories April 26
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Grading: Grading will be based on the following scheme (Final grades will include +/- options):

In class i>clicker questions 100 (lowest responses dropped)

Exams 300 (3 @ 100 each)
Final Exam 150
Online problems 100 (@ 10 each set; drop lowest of 11)
Laboratory 200
Total 850

Generally, the B/C line will be determined by the class average, the A/B line will be one
standard deviation above the average, and the C/D line will be one standard deviation below the
average; however, performance on the final exam is very crucial. Performance must exceed a
reasonable level in order to pass. In addition, a low grade on the final is not good. There will be
no make-up exams although consideration for emergencies will be given (please indicate such a
situation asap and in no case after an exam). Regrade requests must be submitted within one
week of the return of an exam. The entire exam will be regraded and the resulting grade may
change either up or down.

Students are expected to understand and obey the Honor Code and Pledge. Furthermore, a Civility Code is
in effect to help maintain acceptable learning conditions for all. Please observe these guidelines so that learning is
not impaired for anyone. If you are eligible for academic/classroom accommodations because you have a
documented disability that will impact your work in this class, please schedule an appointment with me as soon as
possible to discuss your needs and contact the appropriate office (see below).

Academic Integrity Policy

Ethics are an integral part of being a student and a professional. Academic integrity is the hallmark of this University.
Therefore, Purdue University and the School of Engineering Math and Science do not tolerate academic dishonesty
in any form. If a student breaches integrity, the student risks sanctions in both the academic and conduct arenas.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized use of other’s intellectual property (plagiarism),
and lying to an instructor or any University employee. Such actions may result in a failing grade on the assignment or
in the course itself, with the strong possibility or referral to the Office of the Dean of Students for a conduct sanction
(see Purdue University Student Handbook). This conduct sanction may include suspension or expulsion.
Purdue University Honor Code
I understand that academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at Purdue University Calumet. I am here to learn. Through
learning, I will strive to become a better person and a more valuable contributor to society. I understand that
dishonesty in the classroom, through cheating, plagiarism or other dishonest acts, defeats this purpose and disgraces
the mission and quality of a Purdue University Calumet education. Therefore, I make the following pledge: “In
accordance with the Honor Code, I will not engage in dishonesty in my academic activities, and I will not tolerate such
dishonesty by other students.” Classroom Civility Policy
Cell phones or related electric devices should not ring or make noise anytime while class is in session.
It is expected that all of us will act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of the university experience. Each of us is
accountable to our own actions and words. Therefore, you should behave in a manner that recognizes personal
respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every individual. If you are asked
to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, you may not return until a conference is arranged with your
instructor; it is your responsibility to arrange for this conference.
ADA Policy / Special Needs Accommodations
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the
Student Support Services Office located in the Student Union and Library Building (SUL), Room 341, phone
numbers: 219-989-2455, 219-989-2454 (voice/TTY) or 219-989-2920 before academic/classroom accommodations
can be provide
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CHM 11500 Tentative Schedule Spring 2015

Date Topic

Jan. 13 Introduction; Chapter 1: General Background

15 Background
20 Chapter 2: Matter
22 Matter
27 Chapter 3: Stoichiometry
29 Stoichiometry
Feb. 3 Stoichiometry
5 Exam 1
10 Chapter 4: Chemical Reactions
12 Chemical Reactions
17 Chemical Reactions
19 Chapter 5: Gases
24 Gases
26 Chapter 6: Thermochemistry
Mar. 3 Thermochemistry
5 Thermochemistry
10 Spring Break
12 Spring Break
17 Review
19 Exam 2
24 Chapter 7: Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure
26 Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure
31 Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure
Apr. 2 Chapter 8: Electron Configuration and Chemical Periodicity
7 Electron Configuration and Chemical Periodicity
9 Chapter 9: Chemical Bonding
14 Chemical Bonding
16 Exam 3
21 Chapter 10: Molecular Shapes
23 Molecular Shapes
28 Chapter 11: Covalent Bonding
30 Last Class

May 5 1-3pm Final Exam

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CHM 11500 Spring 2015 Textbooks, Online Homework, and Clickers

General chemistry I (CHM 11500) is a large course in the Purdue system taken
by many students from several different majors. It is the first course of a two-course
sequence, CHM 11600 being the second course in this sequence. Some majors
normally do not take this second course.
The textbook is “Chemistry” by Silberberg. The most recent edition is the
seventh and the publisher is McGraw-Hill. The publisher has generated a system of
online homework which is accessible via Connect. There is an interactive study system
called Learn Smart which also is contained within this system.
In order to provide an alternative option, it is possible to use Sapling Learning
(not associated with McGraw-Hill -- it is owned by MacMillan) for online homework. This
system was used for CHM 11500 last year with good results.
Lectures will use i-clicker2 technology which allows students to answer questions
given in class for credit. This requires you to have either an i-clicker2 (sort of like a tv
remote) or a smartphone (or other internet connecting device) plus an app (i-clicker2 is
part of the MacMillan company). This latter non-physical clicker is called i-clickerGO.

With this as a background, here is the rest of the story:

The PUC Bookstore has the following options available:

(1) The custom textbook and the Connect access code (ISBN
139781259353802) and the cost is $190. This includes a loose-leaf copy of
the book (punched with three holes to use in a binder), access to the e-book,
and the Connect access code.
(2) The access code which includes access to the e-book. The cost is $115.
(3) Physical i-clicker2. The ISBN is 9781429280471 and the cost is $55.
Additional pricing information:

(1) Sapling Learning is $40/semester (6 months). The ISBN is 978-0-9833859-0.

(2) Sapling Learning plus 6 month i-clicker GO is $45 (ISBN is 1464154155).
(3) Sapling Learning with i-clicker2 (plus free GO access) is $73.79 (ISBN is
1464154112).
Notice that use of Sapling Learning for online homework access means that it would be
reasonable to find an older edition of the textbook online (certainly, the fifth or sixth
editions should be fine). It is probable that the cost of the book would be in the $20
range.

Note also that if you are planning on taking CHM 11600 after 11500, having a one-year
access code would make the bookstore option 1 a very attractive path to take.