Chem 260 Class Schedule

The class schedule below provides a query for each day's main topic, suggested reading assignments and end-of-chapter problems from the textbook (answers to these problems are in the back of the textbook). The query also serves as a link to a Google Drive folder where you will find one or more of the following items: (i) a short read that summarizes key ideas from that day's topic, (ii) essays that cover topics not included in the text, and (iii) copies of worksheets with answer keys added following class, and additional materials, such as tables of constants or data. For days highlighted in a bold font, you will find a take-home assignment in the Google Drive folder; some of these assignments are individualized, so if you see names attached to the files, then look for the one with your email address. Take-home assignments are due at the next class meeting. The link to the Google Drive folder for a particular class generally becomes active on the weekend before the class meeting. 

This link provides a one-sheet overview of the course's structure.

Unit 0: Introduction

In which we set the stage for the semester, practice observing and describing chemical reactions, and review stoichiometric calculations and important mathematical techniques.

• Topic_0.01 (1/27): How do we characterize chemical reactivity?

  • read chapter 7.2; work problems 7.15, 17, 19, 21

• Topic_0.02 (1/29): How do we study and model reactions quantitatively? 

  • read chapter 7.3 and Chem 170 modules; work Chem 170 modules (as needed)

Unit I: Thermodynamics (unit exam on February 21st)

In which we develop an understanding of why some reactions are favorable and other reactions are unfavorable, and in which we learn how to predict if a reaction is favorable and how that favorability is affected by temperature and the composition of the reaction mixture.

• Topic_1.01 (1/31): What does it mean to say that a reaction has chemical potential?

  • read chapter 9.1; work problems none

• Topic_1.02 (2/3): How do we measure the transfer of heat in a chemical reaction?

  • read chapter 9.1, 2; work problems 9.7, 9, 11, 19, 25, 27

• Topic_1.03 (2/5): How do we report the transfer of heat in a chemical reaction?

  • read chapter 9.3; work problems 9.39, 41

• Topic_1.04 (2/7): Can we predict how much heat is released or absorbed during a chemical reaction?

  • read chapter 9.3; work problems 9.55, 59, 61, 69, 81

• Topic_1.05 (2/10): Where is heat stored and where does it go?

  • read chapter 12.1, 2, 3; work problems 12.13, 15, 17, 25

• Topic_1.06 (2/12): How do we know if a reaction is favorable?

  • read chapter 12.4; work problems 12.31, 33, 35

• Topic_1.07 (2/14): What does a thermodynamic analysis of a (bio)chemical system look like?

  • read chapter 12.4; work problem 12.37

• Topic_1.08 (2/17): What about redox reactions?

  • read chapter 16.1, 2, 3, 4; work problems 16.23, 27

• Topic_1.09 (2/19): How does favorability change as a reaction takes place?

  • no reading assignment or suggested problems

• Topic_1.10 (2/21): How do I prepare for the first unit exam?

Unit II: Equilibrium Chemistry (unit exam on April 2nd)

In which we learn to predict the composition of a system when it reaches a state of equilibrium and in which we apply this to systems of acid-base reactions, solubility reactions, and/or complexation reactions.

• Topic_2.01 (2/24): How are thermodynamics and equilibria related to each other?

  • read chapter 12.4, 13.1, 13.2; work problems 13.9, 15, 17

• Topic_2.02 (3/26): How do we solve equilibrium problems?

  • read chapter 13.4; work problems 13.50, 52, 54, 64, 74

• Topic_2.03 (2/28): What happens when we disturb a reaction at equilibrium?

  • read chapter 13.3; work problems 13.31, 36, 40, 44, 46

• Topic_2.04 (3/3): How do we determine the pH of acids and bases?

  • read chapter 14.1-4; work problems 14.1, 7, 9, 17, 19, 25, 35, 54, 60, 62

• Topic_2.05 (3/5): What is fractional abundance?

  • read chapter 14.5; no problems to work

• Topic_2.06 (3/7): What is a buffer?

  • read 14.6; work problems 14.78, 80, 82, 86, 88

• Topic_2.07 (3/10): How do buffers work?

  • no reading assignment; work problem 14.90

• Topic_2.08 (3/12): How do we characterize a buffer's properties?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• Topic_2.09 (3/14): How do we design a buffer?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• (3/17): Spring Break (no class)

• (3/19): Spring Break (no class)

• (3/21): Spring Break (no class)

• Topic_2.10 (3/24): How do we determine how much solid will dissolve in solution?

  • read chapter 15.1; work problems 15.3, 11, 13

• Topic_2.11 (3/26): How can we control solubility using common ions?

  • read chapter 15.3; work problems 15.15, 25

• Topic_2.12 (3/28): How can we control solubility by adjusting pH?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• Topic_2.13 (3/31): Wait! Equilibrium constants are not really constant?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• Topic_2.14 (4/2): How do I prepare for the unit exam?

Unit III: Kinetics of Chemical Reactions (unit exam on April 30th)

In which we explore how a reaction's progress changes with time and in which we learn what this macroscopic information conveys about the reaction at a microscopic level.

• Topic_3.01 (4/4): What can we learn from studying how quickly a reaction proceeds?

  • read chapter 17.1-2; work problems 17.1, 3, 5

• Topic_3.02 (4/7): What is a rate law?

  • read 17.3-4; work problems 17.13, 15, 17, 19, 46

• Topic_3.03 (4/9): How do we determine a reaction's rate law? (Part 1: Pseudo-order kinetics)

  • read 17.3-4; work problems 17.33, 34

• Topic_3.04 (4/11): How do we determine a reaction's rate law? (Part 2: Initial rates)

  • read 17.3-4; work problems 17.21, 23, 25, 31

• Topic_3.05 (4/14): What happens when a reaction has multiple pathways?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• Topic_3.06 (4/16): What is a reaction mechanism and what can we do with it?

  • read 17.6; work problems 17.68, 72, 74

• Topic_3.07 (4/18): Why are some reactions fast and other reactions slow?

  • read 17.5; work problems 17.60, 62

• Topic_3.08 (4/21): What does it mean to say a reaction is under kinetic control?

  • read 17.5; no problems to work

• Topic_3.09 (4/23): What is the steady-state approximation?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• Topic_3.10 (4/25): How Do Reactions Oscillate?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• Topic_3.11 (4/28): Wait! Equilibrium Constants Aren't Contstant?

  • no reading assignment; no problems to work

• Topic_3.12 (4/30): How do I prepare for the unit exam?

Unit IV: Wrapping Up

In which we revisit the topics of Units I, II, and III, reviewing what we covered and extending our understanding of the relationships between thermodynamics, equilibria, and kinetics.

• Topic_4.01 (5/2): review for the final exam (thermo); work on group poster

• Topic_4.02 (5/5): review for the final exam (equilibrium); work on group poster

• Topic_4.03 (5/7): review for the final exam (kinetics); work on group poster

Final Exam

In which we bring the semester to a close!

• Chem 260A: Saturday, May 10th from 1:00–4:00

• Chem 260B: Tuesday, May13th from 8:30–11:30