Skip to main content
nounstudy
CHM191

Introductory Practical Chemistry I

  • Sciences
  • 100 level
  • 1 credit unit
  • 144 pages
  • 17 units

This course introduces fundamental practical chemistry techniques. It covers quantitative inorganic analysis, including volumetric analysis and acid-base titrations. Students will learn about laboratory safety, apparatus, and units of measurement. The course also explores redox reactions, energy effects in chemical reactions, and the reactivity series of metals. Emphasis is placed on preparing solutions, standardizing them, and determining the purity of substances.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
120 hours
Maths
Intermediate
Content
Practical, problem solving, theoretical
Practical work
Yes
Before you start
  • Basic Chemistry
  • Algebra
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assessments (TMAs)
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CHM191 · UNIT 14: REDOX (REACTIVITY) SERIES IN METALS 116

Finally, we shall draw your attention to energy relations in chemical reactions. This latter part is to introduce you to physical chemistry which you will encounter at a higher level practical chemistry course.

What you should be able to do

  1. Use laboratory apparatus and perform common experimental techniques.
  2. Calculate concentrations of solutions from titration data.
  3. Relate choice of indicator to type of reaction.
  4. Determine the purity or impurity of a sample.
  5. Know what type of reactions are classified as acid-base reactions.
  6. Determine the stoichiometric mole ratio from a balanced acid base reaction equation.
  7. Explain the basic concepts underlying the use of potassium permanganate as an oxidizing agent
  8. Describe the characteristics feature of potassium permanganate solution
  9. Estimate concentration of substance from redox reactions
  10. Write balanced Redox reaction equations

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Quality Control Analyst
  • Chemical Analyst
  • Research Assistant
Where it is applied
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Food and Beverage
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Chemical Manufacturing

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis

    Unit 5: Volumetric Analysis

    Acid-base titration calculations require a strong understanding of stoichiometry and mole ratios, which can be challenging for some students.

  • Module 2: Quantitative Physical in Organic Analysis

    Unit 10: Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

    Balancing redox equations using the ion-electron method involves multiple steps and requires careful attention to electron transfer and charge balance.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 35 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 1: Apparatus and Experimental Techniques · 2 hours

      Review laboratory safety rules and regulations.. Familiarize yourself with common laboratory apparatus.. Practice heating, evaporation, precipitation, and filtration techniques..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 2: Units of Measurement · 2 hours

      Study the S.I. units of mass, volume, amount of substance, and concentration.. Understand the mole concept as applied to solids and solutions.. Practice calculating concentrations of solutions..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 3: Units of Measurement · 3 hours

      Perform experiment 1A: Preparation of a solution of known concentration.. Learn to use a desiccator, oven, and standard volumetric flask.. Practice measuring up to the mark..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 3: Units of Measurement · 3 hours

      Perform experiment 1B: Obtaining a diluted solution from the original solution.. Practice preparing solutions of lower concentrations from a stock solution.. Apply the dilution method to prepare solutions..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 4: Preparation of a Non-Standard Solution and Standardizing Same. · 3 hours

      Prepare a non-standard solution of hydrochloric acid.. Learn the principles of standardization.. Understand the requirements for preparing approximate concentrations..

  6. Week 6Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 4: Preparation of a Non-Standard Solution and Standardizing Same. · 3 hours

      Perform experiment 2B: Standardize the non-standard hydrochloric acid solution.. Practice titration techniques to determine the actual concentration.. Calculate the concentration of the prepared solution..

  7. Week 7Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 5: Volumetric Analysis · 2 hours

      Study the principles of acid-base titration.. Learn about indicators and their selection.. Practice problem-solving in acid-base titrations..

  8. Week 8Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 6: Acid-Base II Standardization of a Non-Standard Solution · 3 hours

      Perform experiment: Standardize a non-standard solution of NaOH using a standardized HCl solution.. Practice titration techniques.. Calculate the concentrations of solutions from titration data..

  9. Week 9Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 7: Acid-Base II Determination of Percent Purity of a Substance · 3 hours

      Perform experiment: Determine the percentage purity of a substance using acid-base titration.. Practice calculating the percentage purity or impurity of a sample.. Estimate the relative molecular mass of the pure substance..

  10. Week 10Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 8: Acid-Base IV Determination of Concentration of a Substance in Ecess (Back Titration) · 3 hours

      Understand the principles of back titration.. Perform experiment: Determine the concentration of a substance in excess.. Practice calculating the amount of reactant that is in excess..

  11. Week 11Module 1: Quantitative (Inorganic) Analysis
    • Unit 9: Acid-Base V Determination of the Amount of NaOH and Na2CO3 in a Mixture (Double Indicator Method) · 3 hours

      Learn the double indicator method.. Perform experiment: Determine the amount of NaOH and Na2CO3 in a mixture.. Practice using two different types of indicators in one titration..

  12. Week 12Module 2: Quantitative Physical in Organic Analysis
    • Unit 10: Oxidation-Reduction Reactions · 2 hours

      Study the theory of oxidation-reduction reactions.. Learn to identify oxidizing and reducing agents.. Practice balancing redox equations using the ion-electron method..

  13. Week 13Module 2: Quantitative Physical in Organic Analysis
    • Unit 11: Redox Titration II. Use of Potassium Permanganate as an Oxidant. · 3 hours

      Study the use of potassium permanganate as an oxidant.. Perform experiment: Standardize a solution of potassium permanganate.. Practice titration without external indicators..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create detailed concept maps linking acid-base titration principles (Units 3-7) with relevant experimental procedures.
  • Practice balancing redox equations from Units 10-12 weekly, focusing on both ion-electron and oxidation state methods.
  • Review all solved examples in Units 5, 7, and 9, and attempt similar problems with varying data.
  • Focus on understanding the selection criteria for indicators in different titration types (Unit 5) and their impact on endpoint accuracy.
  • Memorize key formulas for calculating molarity, molality, and percentage purity, and practice applying them to different scenarios.
  • Create flashcards for common laboratory apparatus and their uses (Unit 1) to improve recall during practical exams.
  • Allocate specific time slots for reviewing TMAs and addressing areas where marks were lost, focusing on conceptual gaps.
  • Simulate exam conditions by solving past papers within the time limit, paying attention to time management for each question.
  • Prioritize understanding the underlying principles of each experiment rather than rote memorization of procedures, to handle unexpected variations.
  • Form a study group to discuss challenging concepts and practice problem-solving collaboratively, explaining solutions to reinforce understanding.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CHM191 about?

This course introduces fundamental practical chemistry techniques. It covers quantitative inorganic analysis, including volumetric analysis and acid-base titrations. Students will learn about laboratory safety, apparatus, and units of measurement. The course also explores redox reactions, energy effects in chemical reactions, and the reactivity series of metals. Emphasis is placed on preparing solutions, standardizing them, and determining the purity of substances.

How many units does CHM191 have?

CHM191, Introductory Practical Chemistry I, has 17 units across 2 modules, over 144 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CHM191?

CHM191 carries 1 credit unit, at 100 level in Sciences.

Is CHM191 hard?

CHM191 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly practical, problem solving and theoretical work, and it has a practical component.

How long does CHM191 take to study?

About 120 hours of study, spread across its 17 units.

How is CHM191 assessed?

CHM191 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments (TMAs) and Final Examination.

What do I need before starting CHM191?

Basic Chemistry Algebra

What can I do with CHM191?

Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Analyst, Chemical Analyst and Research Assistant.

More courses in Sciences

MTH112

Differential Calculus

2 credit units

Open MTH112
CIT141

Information Storage & Retrieval

2 credit units

Open CIT141
MTH101

Elementary Mathematics I

3 credit units

Open MTH101