Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Preparation: high school chemistry or equivalent background and three and one half years of high school mathematics. Requisite: completion of Chemistry Diagnostic Test. Enforced corequisite: Life Sciences 30A or Mathematics 3A or 31A or score of 48 or better on Mathematics Diagnostic Test. Not open to students with credit for course 20A. Introduction to physical and general chemistry principles; atomic structure based on quantum mechanics; atomic properties; trends in periodic table; chemical bonding (Lewis structures, VSEPR theory, hybridization, and molecular orbital theory); coordination compounds; properties of inorganic and organic acids, bases, buffers. P/NP or letter grading.

Review Summary

Clarity
8.3 / 10
Organization
8.3 / 10
Time
0-5 hrs/week
Overall
8.3 / 10

Reviews

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A

    He has a lot of additional help like office/drop-in hours.

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A

    Personally, I found Lavelle's lectures hard to follow, especially if you've never taken chem. Quantum is probably the most difficult aspect of the class which is what Midterm 1 focuses on. Midterm 2 focuses on Lewis structures. I highly recommend that if anything, do all his assigned practice questions in the textbook, and if you don't want to read the entirety of the textbook at least read and understand the examples. These will highlight the most important concepts.

Course

Instructor
Laurence Lavelle
Previously taught
24F 23F 21F 20F 19F 19Su

Grading Information

  • No group projects

  • Attendance not required

  • 2 midterms

  • Finals week final

  • 58% recommend the textbook

Previous Grades

Grade distributions not available.