KJM120 Inorganic Chemistry

Lectures: The textbook is the students point of departure. It gives an overview over inorganic chemistry so that a thermodynamic approach (to as large an extent as possible) forms the basis for an understanding of stability and reaction conditions. The course focuses on naturally occurring processes in the biogeochemical cycle. Colloquia: Problem-solving on the chemistry of the elements, affinity relationships and periodical variations in the physical and chemical properties, in order to promote an understanding of the connections between composition, structure and properties. Laboratory exercises: An aim for the exercises is to give students practical experience with the chemistry of the most important elements in the form of simple experiments that are evaluated and discussed. The exercises do not nearly cover the field of inorganic reaction chemistry, which also comprises reactions in non-aqueous environments, reactions taking place at high temperatures, high pressures, reactions in a crucible and crystallisation, as well as electrochemical reactions. In addition, inorganic chemistry is more than reactions, their mechanisms, energetics and kinetics. It is the structural chemistry of gases, liquids and solids, the latter being molecular, glass-like or crystalline that is studied by the use of spectral, diffraction, magnetic, electric, optic or other methods. But the trends in the periodic system remain the same, whether one works in an aqueous solution or uses high-temperature synthesis. Another aim of the laboratory exercises is chemical problem-solving. The writing of a laboratory journal is not the classical journal writing with detailed descriptions, but an argument led by certain given questions.

Students will be able to "read the periodic table", in the sense of being able to predict the chemistry of elements from their placement in the periodic table. They will gain an overview over inorganic chemistry so that a thermodynamic approach (to as large an extent as possible) forms the foundation for the understanding of stability and reaction conditions. The students will be able to explain the chemistry of the elements, affinity conditions and periodic variations in physical and chemical properties and an understanding of the connections between composition, structure and properties. They will be able to link the fundamental chemistry of the elements and understanding of principles that explain their chemical behaviour to other natural scientific subject fields (e.g. geology, environmental chemistry, environmental physics, biochemistry). The course will place a specific focus on environmental and biochemical processes, thus supporting the life science profile of NMBU.