Atoms and Molecules

Expected Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to complete a range of tasks exemplified by the following:

1. Describe in qualitative terms the nature of the interactions between molecules in solids, liquids and gases.

2. Carry out simple calculations using the relationships between molarity, relative molecular mass, %w/v, ppm.

3. Describe the electronic structure of elements up to calcium in the Periodic Table and explain the structure of the Table.

4. Describe the different types of bonding found between atoms and predict the type of bonding to be expected in particular compounds.

5. Explain what a radioactive isotope is and what is meant by its 'half-life'.

6. Predict the approximate equilibrium position of a reaction given the value of the Gibbs free energy change.

7. Explain the difference between strong and weak acids and the significance and mechanism of buffering in biological systems and differentiate between oxygen addition and oxidation.

8. Predict the approximate shapes of simple organic molecules from their formulae and describe the range of isomers that may obey given structural or empirical formulae.

9. Describe the biologically relevant reactions that might be expected of substances of given molecular formulae.

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This page was last updated by Martin Chaplin
on 29 August, 2003