PERIODICITY AND REACTIVITY OF THE ELEMENTS - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module provides an introduction to Inorganic Chemistry and contains both theoretical and laboratory components. The starting point is basic quantum theory which is built upon to explain the periodic table, key trends and the reactivity of main group and d-block elements. This is underpinned by a review and extension of bonding theories.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

RIDDLESTONE Ian (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Origin and shape of s, p, d and f orbitals. Rules for orbital occupation, leading to atomic electron configurations: Aufbau principle, Hund’s rule of maximum multiplicity and Pauli exclusion principle. Relationship to the periodic table.

• Brief review of trends in ionisation energies, electron affinity, electronegativity. Trends and definition of atomic, ionic, covalent and van der Waals radii. Oxidation states and redox reactions.

• Introduction to chemistry of s- and p-block elements and compounds. Link to periodicity.

• Bonding models including Lewis structures and resonance, VSEPR theory, hybridisation and molecular orbital theory. 

• Lattice energy and Born-Haber cycles

• Chemistry of the d-block elements and crystal field theory.

• Laboratory experiments on the synthesis and characterisation of p-block and d-block compounds.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

For the laboratory exercises an alternative written assessment can be set. This is based on analysing or explaining experimental data, or detailing experimental techniques.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of fundamental aspects of periodicity, structure, bonding and reactivity in main group and d-block elements and compounds. Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Five Laboratory Exercises, which assess experimental skills, including the ability to set-up and use experimental equipment and the ability to write scientific reports. (LO6)

• Examination: Covers the full range of theory for the material discussed in lectures and tutorials, and their application to chemical problem solving (LO1-5)

 

Formative assessment

Associated with each laboratory exercise and associated report - parts are each individual experiments will be formatively assessed in order to provide immediate feedback to students to allow them to improve their work ahead of summative assessments. Formative assessment is also provided in tutorials where pre-set problems are discussed in preparation for the final theory exam. Further opportunities for formative assessment include questions or quizzes taken in lectures as well as the weekly online quizzes which provide automatic and immediate feedback.

 

Feedback

Oral feedback is provided for the duration of the module with students encouraged to ask questions in all teaching sessions (lectures, tutorials. pre=lab and practical sessions). In addition one-to-one meetings can be arranged on student request. Feedback on tutorial work is also provided during each tutorial session. Formal written feedback is provided for all (formative and summative) laboratory reports.

Module aims

• describe the electronic structure of atoms and relate this to the construction of the Periodic Table and the resultant periodicity
• give an overview of the structure and reactivity of the main group elements and compounds
• introduce d-block complexes, their structure and reactivity as well as crystal field theory to rationalize these properties
• review simple bonding models and introduce molecular orbital theory
• teach basic laboratory techniques relating to the synthesis, characterization and purification of inorganic compounds and how to write up experimental work

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• transfer and embed knowledge, theories and concepts relevant to inorganic chemistry,

• develop practical (laboratory) skills including the ability to write scientific reports

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Face to Face Lectures: Powerpoint presentations with questions and discussion

These sessions will introduce and explain the new theories and concepts taught in this module. Lectures will feature questions and discussion to assess students’ understanding and to highlight topics or areas for further discussion or explanation.

 

• Tutorials: discussion of pre-set and of unknown questions

Tutorial questions are designed to test students’ knowledge of key topics and their ability to apply this knowledge to previously unseen examples. Feedback is provided on these question sets during the tutorial session by module staff and students are encouraged to discuss their answers collectively as a tutorial group.

 

• Practical (laboratory) sessions (and associated pre-lab lectures).

Pre-lab lectures are used to ensure that students are aware of all relevant health and safety information associated with the specific practical session and also to provide feedback from previous weeks that includes highlighting common errors or difficulties experienced by the cohort and identifying areas for improvement. In practical sessions students will continue to develop their laboratory skills.

 

• Self-study material including self-tests on SurreyLearn

Self-study material is designed to promote better recall of key concepts and theories and act as a check for the student to assess their knowledge for a clearly defined section (lecture or week) of the module. It also provides students with feedback allowing them to readily confirm their understanding.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CHE1042

Other information

The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

The laboratory component to this module is significant and provides particular development in the areas of Employability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. A defining characteristic of a chemistry graduate is practical laboratory competency and this underpins accreditation by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) of degree programs. These laboratory skills are expected by employers and this module contributes to their development. In addition synthetic laboratory work does not always go to plan and students often need to resolve problems and work out what may have happened during their experiment therefore, building resourcefulness and resilience.

This module also develops Digital Capabilities as laboratory reports are written and submitted online. Students will need to process data using both spreadsheets and specialist software. This provides clear overlaps with other modules where the same spectroscopic techniques are used and where work written and submitted online.

The learning objectives from this module and feedback given to students on assessments in this module support a broad range of modules from across the degree programs. Particular examples are highlighted below:

• CHE2042, CHE3063 and CHEM039 – progression of knowledge through the inorganic chemistry modules and this is referred to in teaching sessions
• CHE1043 – quantum theory and atomic structure
• CHE1043, CHE1041, CHE1044 – general lab skills and use of core spectroscopic facilities e.g. IR and UV-vis instruments
• CHE1041, CHE2042 and CHE2044 – laboratory write ups across organic and inorganic chemistry sessions which include synthetic work are very similar. Feedback and advice on these reports is applicable across these modules.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.