General Chemistry I & Lab

Online Chemistry and Lab Overview

This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic principles of chemistry. The course begins with an analysis of matter and its components, stoichiometry, and intermolecular force and phase changes. Properties of liquids, solids, and gasses are also explored. This foundation is used to examine solubility, colligative properties of solutions, chemical reactions, quantum theory and atomic structure, and chemical periodicity. Other topics include main group and transition elements. This course includes an at-home lab component and supplemental assessments and exercises.

Please note that this lab course requires purchase of a lab kit and completion of lab exercises.  Students must purchase the lab kit as it is not included in the course fee or provided by StraighterLine (More information is available under "Course Text"). 

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Demos

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Course Text

Chang, Raymond. General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts, 6th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2010, ISBN: 9780077354718 [buy the text]

Chemistry Kit 4 from eScienceLabs.com (Price $98)

Do I have to buy the textbook?
As in many college courses, purchasing the book is ultimately up to you. The StraighterLine courses use reading assignments and practice work from the textbook as supplements, but you will not be required to turn in anything from the book. StraighterLine recommends that you purchase the appropriate text so you are equipped with as many resources as possible (please note that e-books are generally less expensive but may have slight differences in page numbers and resources compared to a hard copy text).

Online Chemistry with Lab Course Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze Dalton's atomic theory with respect to the structure of the atom. 
• Describe the states of matter, their properties, and the effect of chemical measurements on chemical calculations. 
• Solve chemical problems relating to various aspects of stoichiometry, such as the mole, molecular formulas, and chemical equations. 
• Describe the process of phase change and the properties of liquids and solids. 
• Summarize the applications of various gas laws and the Kinetic-Molecular theory. 
• Summarize factors affecting solubility and the colligative properties of liquids. 
• Discuss the various types of chemical reactions. 
• Analyze quantum theory with respect to the structure of the atom. 
• Describe the organization of the periodic table with respect to atomic properties. 
• Compare and contrast the properties of the main group elements. 
• Relate the properties of the transition elements to the formation of coordination compounds. 
• Analyze the various theories of chemical bonding. 
• Apply various theories to depict molecular shape. 
• Apply the various laws of thermodynamics to define enthalpy and calculate standard heats of reactions. 
• Distinguish between the concepts of entropy, free energy, and work. 
• Discuss reaction mechanisms and the factors affecting the rate of a reaction. 
• Express chemical equilibria with the help of the reaction quotient and the equilibrium constant. 
• Discuss the various properties of acids and bases in water and the pH scale. 
• Describe the various aspects of acid-base equilibria. 
• Detail the applications of ionic equilibria in buffer systems and titration curves. 
• Distinguish between the different types of organic molecules. 
• Discuss the working of voltaic cells and calculate cell output. 
• Discuss the working of electrolytic cells with respect to free energy and electrical work. 
• Analyze the concept of radioactive decay and its role in the application of radioisotopes. 
• Describe the occurrence and cycling of the elements in nature along with their uses.

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take General Chemistry.

Important Terms

In this course, different terms are used to designate tasks:

• Practice Exercise: A non-graded assignment to assist you in practicing the skills discussed in a topic. 

• Exam: A graded online test.

• Labs: These are experiments at home that you will complete and be assessed on through online exercises.

Online Course Evaluation Criteria

StraighterLine does not apply letter grades. Students earn a score as a percentage of 100%. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.

There are a total of 1000 points in the course:

Topic	Assessment	Points Available
1	Graded Exam	25
1	Lab: Introduction and Safety	50
1	Lab: The Scientific Method	50
2	Graded Exam	25
3	Graded Exam	25
4	Graded Exam	25
4	Lab: The Mole and Avogadro’s Number	50
5	Graded Exam	25
6	Graded Exam	25
7	Graded Exam	25
7	Lab: Ideal Gas Law	50
	Midterm Exam (Topics 1-7)	100
8	Graded Exam	25
8	Lab: Molecular Models	50
9	Graded Exam	25
10	Graded Exam	25
10	Lab: Chemical Reactions	50
11	Graded Exam	25
12	Graded Exam	25
12	Lab: Electron Configuration	50
13	Graded Exam	25
14	Graded Exam	25
	Final Graded Exam (Topics 8-14)	200
Total		1000

At the end of the course, each student will receive the number of points earned. The student's final letter grade is determined by the corresponding institution's grading scale.

Online Chemistry with Lab Course Topics and Objectives

Topic	Lesson Topic	Subtopics	Objectives
1	Chemistry Today	Foundations of Chemistry Atoms and How They Bond	Define chemistry and summarize the role of chemistry in today's world. Explain the forces that govern molecules and the resulting physical behavior.
2	Fundamentals of Chemistry	Properties and States of Matter Chemical Calculations Chemical Measurements	Describe the various states of matter and their properties.  Demonstrate the use of chemical calculations to solve problems.  Discuss the various aspects affecting chemical measurements.
3	Matter and Its Components	Atomic Theory and Atomic Structure Elements and the Periodic Table Compounds and Mixtures	Analyze Dalton's atomic theory and the structure of the atom.  Describe the organization of the periodic table.  Compare and contrast compounds and mixtures.
4	Intermolecular Force and Phase Changes	Overview of Physical States and Phase Changes Pressure and Temperature Intermolecular Forces	Summarize the process of phase change and the factors involved.  Create a phase diagram to demonstrate graphically the relationship between pressure, temperature, and the physical state.  Compare and contrast the different types of intermolecular forces.
5	Stoichiometry	The Mole Molecular and Empirical Formulas Chemical Equations Solution Stoichiometry	Define the mole and calculate mass percent from chemical formula.  Associate molecular and empirical formulas with compounds.  Derive balanced chemical equations.  Solve problems related to preparing solutions and expressing concentration.
6	Properties of Liquids and Solids	Properties of Liquids Properties of Solids	Analyze the properties of liquids.  Analyze the properties of solids.  Distinguish between the properties of crystalline and amorphous solids.
7	Properties of Gases	Gas Laws The Ideal Gas Law Kinetic-Molecular Theory	State the various gas laws and their application.  Summarize the applications of the ideal gas law.  Analyze the kinetic-molecular theory of gas behavior.
8	Solubility	Intermolecular Forces and Solubility Expressing Solubility	Discuss solubility and the factors affecting it.  Express solubility in terms of concentration.
9	Colligative Properties of Solutions	Colligative Properties Colloids	Summarize the colligative properties of liquids.  Describe the structure and properties of colloids.
10	Chemical Reactions	Aqueous Reactions Precipitation Reactions Acid-Base Reactions Redox Reactions	Derive equations for aqueous reactions.  Predict whether a precipitation reaction will occur.  Analyze the steps occurring in an acid-base reaction.  Derive and balance equations for redox reactions.
11	Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure	The Wave-Particle Duality Atomic Spectra and the Bohr Model The Quantum-Mechanical Model	Compare and contrast the wave properties and particle properties of electromagnetic radiation.  Describe the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom  Derive and balance equations for redox reactions.
12	Chemical Periodicity	Characteristics of Electrons Building the Periodic Table Trends in Atomic Properties and Periodicity	Trace the trends in atomic properties across the periodic table.  Apply the quantum-mechanical model of the atom to build the periodic table.  State the various characteristics of electrons and their significance.
13	The Main-Group Elements	The Alkali Metals and Alkaline Earth Metals The Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen Families The Halogens and the Noble Gases	Compare and contrast the properties of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.  Summarize the properties of elements belonging to the boron, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen families.  Compare and contrast the properties of the halogens with the properties of the noble gases.
14	The Transition Elements	Properties of Transition and Inner Transition Elements Coordination Compounds The Coordinate Bond	State the properties of transition and inner transition elements.  Derive formulas for coordination compounds.  Apply the valence bond theory and crystal field theory to explain the coordinate bond.
15	Review	Course Review	Complete a review of key content covered in this course.