Chemistry Module: Fundamentals of General Chemistry
1. Introduction to Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of matter—its composition, structure, properties, and
the changes it undergoes.
Branches of Chemistry:
Organic Chemistry – study of carbon-containing compounds.
Inorganic Chemistry – study of minerals, metals, and non-carbon
compounds.
Physical Chemistry – study of energy and matter interactions.
Analytical Chemistry – identification and measurement of
substances.
Biochemistry – study of chemical processes in living organisms.
2. Matter and Its Properties
Matter – anything that has mass and occupies space.
States of Matter:
Solid – definite shape and volume.
Liquid – definite volume, takes shape of container.
Gas – no definite shape or volume.
Plasma – ionized gas (found in stars, lightning).
Properties of Matter:
Physical – color, density, melting point.
Chemical – flammability, reactivity.
3. Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
Element – pure substance made of one type of atom (e.g., O₂, Fe).
Compound – substance made of two or more elements chemically
combined (e.g., H₂O, NaCl).
Mixture – physical combination of substances (homogeneous or
heterogeneous).
4. Atomic Structure
Subatomic Particles:
Particl Charg Mass
Location
e e (approx.)
Proton +1 1 amu Nucleus
Neutro
0 1 amu Nucleus
n
Electro Electron
–1 ~0 amu
n cloud
Atomic Number (Z) – number of protons.
Mass Number (A) – protons + neutrons.
5. The Periodic Table
Organizes elements based on increasing atomic number and properties.
Groups – vertical columns (similar properties).
Periods – horizontal rows.
Main groups:
Group 1: Alkali metals
Group 2: Alkaline earth metals
Group 17: Halogens
Group 18: Noble gases
6. Chemical Bonds
Types:
Ionic Bond – transfer of electrons (metal + nonmetal).
Covalent Bond – sharing of electrons (nonmetal + nonmetal).
Metallic Bond – “sea of electrons” among metal atoms.
7. Chemical Reactions
Signs of a chemical reaction:
Color change
Gas formation
Temperature change
Precipitate formation
Basic types of reactions:
1. Synthesis: A + B → AB
2. Decomposition: AB → A + B
3. Single Replacement: A + BC → AC + B
4. Double Replacement: AB + CD → AD + CB
5. Combustion: fuel + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
Law of Conservation of Mass: Matter is neither created nor destroyed in a
reaction.
8. Acids, Bases, and pH
Acid – produces H⁺ ions in water, pH < 7.
Base – produces OH⁻ ions in water, pH > 7.
Neutral – pH = 7 (pure water).
pH Scale: Ranges from 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base).
9. Solutions
Solution – homogeneous mixture of solute (dissolved substance) and
solvent (dissolving medium).
Concentration Measures:
Molarity (M) = moles of solute / liters of solution.
Factors affecting solubility:
Temperature
Pressure (for gases)
Stirring/agitation
Particle size
10. Sample Problems
Example 1:
Find the number of protons in an atom with atomic number 17.
Answer: 17 protons.
Example 2:
Calculate the molarity of a solution containing 2 moles of NaCl in 1 liter of
water.
M=21=2 MM = \frac{2}{1} = 2 \, \text{M}M=12=2M
11. Summary
Chemistry studies matter and its transformations.
Matter exists in different states and can be classified as elements,
compounds, or mixtures.
Atoms bond to form compounds, and these compounds react according
to predictable patterns.
Acids, bases, and solutions are important in daily life and industry.