Catalog

Principles of Chemical Science

Chemistry MIT CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 35 lectures

5.112 is an introductory chemistry course for students with an unusually strong background in chemistry. Knowledge of calculus equivalent to MIT course 18.01 is recommended. Emphasis is on basic principles of atomic and molecular electronic structure, thermodynamics, acid-base and redox equilibria, chemical kinetics, and catalysis. The course also covers applications of basic principles to problems in metal coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, and biological chemistry.

Syllabus

  1. 1 Lecture 1: Atomic Theory of Matter
  2. 2 Lecture 2: Discovery of Nucleus
  3. 3 Lecture 3: Wave-Particle Duality of Radiation and Matter
  4. 4 Lecture 4: Particle-Like Nature of Light
  5. 5 Lecture 5: Matter as a Wave
  6. 6 Lecture 6: Schrödinger Equation for H Atom
  7. 7 Lecture 7: Hydrogen Atom Wavefunctions
  8. 8 Lecture 8: P Orbitals
  9. 9 Lecture 9: Electronic Structure of Multielectron Atoms
  10. 10 Lecture 10: Periodic Trends in Elemental Properties
  11. 11 Lecture 11: Why Wavefunctions are Important
  12. 12 Lecture 12: Ionic Bonds ‑ Classical Model and Mechanism
  13. 13 Lecture 13: Kinetic Theory ‑ Behavior of Gases
  14. 14 Lecture 14: Distribution Molecular Energies
  15. 15 Lecture 15: Internal Degrees of Freedom
  16. 16 Lecture 16: Intermolecular Interactions
  17. 17 Lecture 17: Polarizability
  18. 18 Lecture 18: Thermodynamics and Spontaneous Change
  19. 19 Lecture 19: Molecular Description of Acids and Bases
  20. 20 Lecture 20: Lewis and Brønsted Acid-Base Concepts
  21. 21 Lecture 21: Titration Curves and pH Indicators
  22. 22 Lecture 22: Electrons in Chemistry: Redox Processes
  23. 23 Lecture 23: Cell Potentials and Free Energy
  24. 24 Lecture 24: Theory of Molecular Shapes
  25. 25 Lecture 25: Valence Bond Theory
  26. 26 Lecture 26: Molecular Orbital Theory
  27. 27 Lecture 27: Molecular Orbital Theory for Diatomic Molecules
  28. 28 Lecture 28: Molecular Orbital Theory for Polyatomic Molecules
  29. 29 Lecture 29: Crystal Field Theory
  30. 30 Lecture 30: Crystal Field Theory (cont.)
  31. 31 Lecture 31: Color and Magnetism of Coordination Complexes
  32. 32 Lecture 32: Coordination Complexes and Ligands
  33. 33 Lecture 33: Ligand Substitution Reactions: Kinetics
  34. 34 Lecture 34: Bonding in Metals and Semiconductors
  35. 35 Lecture 36: Nuclear Chemistry and the Cardiolite Story

Course materials