INTEGRATED CHEMISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

RECOMMENDED COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR

CHEMICAL TECHNICIAN

COURSE TITLE: General Chemistry

COURSE NUMBER: ChT 10
NUMBER OF UNITS: 3u
Prepared by: Dr. Veronica P. Migo

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a basic preparatory course for Chemical Technicians. This course starts with the
scientific measurements, dimensional analysis of problem solving and significant figures
which indicates the uncertainty in measurements. Then, the fundamental ways of classifying
materials are examined including the different properties that we use to characterize, identify
and separate substances.
The Periodic Table is an important tool in exploring certain properties of elements where we
examine periodic trends of three properties of atoms namely: atomic size, ionization energy
and electron affinity. The physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals are
discussed as well as the periodic trends in their chemistries. The course then moves to the
concepts of chemical formulas and how they relate to masses of substances with the number of
atoms, molecules or ions they contain. The mole concept will be introduced together with the
interconversion of masses, moles and number of particles. The next section will deal with the
concepts of stoichiometry and concentration and how they can be used to determine the
amounts or concentrations of various substances. Concepts of chemical reactivity, combination
and decomposition reactions and balancing chemical equations will be discussed. A brief
introduction to pH and acid-base reactions will be given in preparation for the next course in
analytical chemistry.

Prerequisites: Student must have completed Grade 10.

B. LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
1) Carry out calculations expressed by the number significant figures and obtain correct
units by dimensional analysis
2) Classify substances, distinguish between pure substances and mixtures
3) Understand the organization of elements in the Periodic Table and analyze the key
properties of atoms based on their periodic trends
4) Apply mole concept and interconvert masses to moles
5) Write and balance equations that represent chemical reactions
6) Understand the concept of stoichiometry and calculations with chemical formulas and
equations
7) Define pH, recognize and define acids and bases
8) Understand the characteristics of gases, use the ideal gas laws to make useful
calculations
9) Write and balance redox equations, examine voltaic cells to produce electricity

1
C. COURSE OUTLINE

Topics Number of
Hours
1. Review of arithmetic
Units of measurements
SI units and prefixes
Length and Mass
3
Temperature
Derived SI units
Volume, Density
2. Significant figures and experimental measurement
Uncertainty in experimental measurement
Precision and Accuracy 3
Significant Figures in Calculations
Types of Error in laboratory measurements
3. Dimensional Analysis
2
Conversion Factors: other units to SI
4. Classification of Matter
States of Matter
Pure Substances
Elements 3
Atoms and ions
Compounds / salts
Mixtures: homogeneous vs. heterogeneous
5. Properties of Matter
Physical and Chemical Changes 2
Separation of Mixtures
6. The Periodic Table
Development of the Periodic Table
Size of Atoms and Ions
Periodic Trends In Atomic Radii
Trends in Sizes of Ions
Ionization Energy 8
Electron Affinities
Metals, Nonmetals and Metalloids
Group Trends for Metals
Group Trends for Nonmetals
Halogens and Noble Gases
7. Nomenclature
Naming Inorganic Compounds
Names and Formulas of Ionic Compounds
3
Names and Formulas of Acids
Names and Formulas of Binary Compounds
Simple Organic Compounds
8. Formula and Molecular Weights
2
Percentage Composition from Formulas
9. The Mole
2
Molar Mass

2
 Interconverting Masses and Moles
10. Concentration of Solutions
Mole Fraction, Molarity and Molarity
Ways of Expressing Concentration 4
Interconverting Molarity, Mass and Volume
Mass Percentage, ppm and ppb
11. Solubility
Aqueous solutions
Non-aqueous solutions 2
Saturation
Precipitation
12. Melting point and Boiling point
2
Trends
13. Chemical Equations
Balancing equations
3
Simple Patterns of Chemical Reactivity
Combination and Decomposition Reactions
14. Acids and Bases
2
pH
Strong and Weak Acids and Bases
15. Gases
Characteristics of gases
2
The Gas Laws
The Ideal Gas Equation and its Applications
16. Electrochemistry
Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions 2
How Voltaic Cells Work

*Include seatwork and group activities