Chemistry is the study of the properties, structure, behavior, and reactivity of matter. As the central science, chemistry has deep connections to fields from physics to biology, from environmental science to engineering. Cutting-edge research in many fields relies on a fundamental understanding of chemistry. This course is designed to build foundational skills in chemistry, providing learners with the necessary prerequisite knowledge for advanced chemistry courses, including Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Science, and beyond.
This course is the second in a series of two general chemistry courses that together cover first-year University-level chemistry. In this course, you will explore fundamentals of chemical reactions, such as how thermodynamics defines the energy released or consumed by a reaction, the nature of chemical equilibrium, and whether a reaction is spontaneous. You will also learn chemical kinetics to examine rates and molecular mechanisms of reactions, and learn about the design and use of catalysts. Along the way, you will examine exciting and important chemical systems, including:
- Acid/base chemistry and buffers
- Redox chemistry and batteries
- Transition metals and applications in biology
- Atmospheric chemistry and global warming
