CHEM.

20-A-3 GENERAL CHEMISTRY:

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
fall 2016
DESCRIPTION: This first course in general chemistry is designed for physical science and engineering majors. It
includes an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, organic molecules
and polymers, transition metal complexes, spectroscopy, and intermolecular forces.
LECTURES: chem. 20A-3,

MWF @ 2.00 - 2.50 pm in CS 50 Young Hall,

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Eric Scerri; Office: 4077D Young Hall

Website: www.ericscerri.com
OFFICE HOURS:
to be announced. Will be held in my office. If more than 4 students come we will move
to a seminar room close to my office which is reserved in advance.
Required: OWL version2 (online homework) plus E-book version of Oxtoby et al. textbook.
If you like to have a hard copy of the textbook in addition any edition, within reason will be OK:
Oxtoby, Gillis, Campion, 5th, 6th or 7th ed.
Unfortunately the OWL and E-book are not sold separately by the publisher.
Also, suggested as background reading, but not absolutely required, an inexpensive book written by me:
A Very Short Introduction to the Periodic Table by E. R. Scerri. https://www.amazon.com/The-Periodic-Table-ShortIntroduction/dp/0199582491/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354680359&sr=8-1&keywords=eric+scerri
HOMEWORK: Graded HW will be from OWL for which you will need to register at

http://login.cengagebrain.com/course/E24YE2JQK3YA3Y
Use class name: Chem 20A-3 Fall 16
There is one general deadline for the whole of OWL even though it consists of several quizzes based on each of the
topics covered. This means you can do it whenever you wish, although it is highly recommended that you do the
quizzes as each topic is being taught.
Additional info provided by OWL administrators:
Just in case students get stuck during registration, we've created a unique tech support URL that you can
share with them on the first day of class. Designed to help students quickly find the answers they need, this
URL gives them access to streamlined live support options, customized FAQs, and course-specific alerts, all
without having to log in.
Your dedicated Technical Support URL is:
http://support.cengage.com/magellan/ClassLandingPage.aspx?OptyId=1373270

HW continued.
There will also be 2 written graded HWs which which you will be required to submit in lecture
(due Monday of weeks 3 and 7). The questions will be sent to you via E-mail.
EXAMINATIONS:
One 50-minute midterm exam is scheduled on the evening of Wednesday of week 5. October 26 th, 6pm 8pm.
The class will be split into 2 large rooms.
The 3-hour final exam is also scheduled but not necessarily in the usual lecture room (see below for details). No makeup exams will be given. Dec 4thth, 11.30 am 2.30 pm.

A legitimate reason (e.g., verified serious illness) for missing a midterm must be discussed with the instructor, prior to
the exam. Nobody can receive a passing grade for the course without taking the final. An "Incomplete" grade will be
given only in the case of serious illness. Only non-programmable, non-graphing calculators will be allowed during
exams. Pagers, cell phones, palm pilots, etc. are not allowed during lectures or exams. Students found in possession of
such items during exams or who commit other forms of academic dishonesty will receive a zero on the entire exam and
will be referred to the Dean of Students.
GRADING:
Sum of OWL scores and graded HW = 30%. (20% + 10% respectively)
The midterm will count 30% toward the final grade.
The final exam will count 40% toward your final grade.
The class is graded on a curve rather than an absolute scale. THIS CAN WORK FOR OR AGAINST THE STUDENT
DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY OF THE EXAM. If its an easy exam the curve will mean that you
may obtain a LOWER grade than you might have on a straight scale meaning with no curving.
PREREQUISITES: This course assumes a working knowledge of high school mathematics, chemistry and physics,
including: exponentials, logarithms, algebra, simple physics, units, significant figures, molecular weights,
stoichiometry, balancing equations, etc.
Enforced co-requisite. Mathematics 31A.
MISCELLANEOUS: Turn off cell phones before the start of class and try to avoid talking during lectures as it is a
distraction to the instructor and the students around you. Cell phones are absolutely forbidden in exams.
Someinclassworkedexampleswillbesetandcanbedoneincollaboration.

Coursewebsite:https://ccle.ucla.edu/course/view/16FCHEM20A3
Pleaseusethistoaskallquestions.Thiscanbeseenbyallstudentsandavoidstheneedfortheinstructor
toanswermoreorlessthesamequestiontoabout350studentsseparately!

Dependingonhowcounted,approximately8,topicswillbecoveredinthe10weekcourse.Somechanges
tothefollowinglistmayoccur.
Thehomeworkquestionssuggestedbelowwillnotbegradedbutcanbediscussedduringdiscussion
sessions.

Unbracketet No.s are for 5th edition of Oxtoby,

Numbers in bracketed for 6th,
th
Question numbers for 7 edition are same as 6th unless indicated as Blue numbers
(also same ch #s as 6th)
Copies of this book are held on reserve in Powell Library.
Topics
The Nature of Science,
The Periodic Table
Equations and Reaction Yields

Quantum Mechanics
Wave-Particle Duality etc.

Problems (HW)
HW: Ch. 1. # 3(3), 4(4), 20(16), 22(18),
Ch. 2 # 14(26), 20(32), 24(36), 32(44), 45(57),
Ch. 3 # 1(1), 3(3)
these chapter numbers are the same for all 3 editions
chapter 15 for 5th/ ch 4 for 6th and 7th edition
HW: # 6(6), 20(16), 26(20),
27(21), 31(31), 71(53) 49, 77(59)

Hydrogen and many-e atoms chapter 15 for 5th ed / ch 5 for 6th and 7th
Periodic Trends
HW # 38(2), 40(4), 42(6), 48(18), 56(32),
85(45), 87(47), 89(49)
Quantum Mechanics and
Molecular Structure
MO and VB theories
Classical Molecular Structure:
Including Lewis Diagrams,
Shapes of molecules
using VSEPR Theory
Intro to Spectroscopy

chapter 16 for 5th/ ch 6 for 6th and 7th ed.

HW: # 2(18), 6(22) 8(24), 18(52), 20(54),
26(62), 35(65), 37(67)

HW: Ch. 3 (all 3 editions) # 24(26), 28(40), 32(44), 46(58),

50(36), 54(60), 60(66), 64(70), 82(96), 90(104),
chapter 17 for 5th, ch 20 for 6th and 7th ed
HW: # 6(6), 14(14), 20(20) 38,
30(28) 43, 33(33) 49, 34(34) 50, 35(35) 51

Transition Metal Complexes chapter 18 for 5th ed, ch 8 for 6th and 7th ed.
HW: # 8(8) 16, 10(10) 17, 24(20) 28, 26(22) 30,
28(24) 32, 34(30) 38, 40b(36b) 44b, 56(48) 58, 59(51) 61.

Organic Molecules & Polymers

HW:

To be Announced.