Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Over the seven weeks of Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios, you will be able to progress from a most basic knowledge of matter and energy to solving interesting real world chemical reaction stoichiometry problems. Each lesson in the course introduces some new concepts that allow you to build upon the material from previous lessons, so completing the coursework in the order that it is delivered will be most beneficial for developing a thorough understanding of synthesized information. This course is intended for students with very little background in the subject, but a strong foundation in algebra is needed to solve some of the problems.In the first unit, the course will first introduce the basic concepts of scientific methods and measurement. Then we will talk about matter, energy, and stoichiometry. Last, we prepared several lab demonstrations by Dr. Ken Lyle. I hope that you are as excited as I am to this amazing world of chemistry! Good luck!

If you are interested in significant figures in more detail, here are some good videos to follow on Khan Academy.

This week we will continue our explorations of matter and energy. We will discuss the sub-atomic particles that govern chemical reactions, isotopes, anions, and cations. We will learn how to name compounds, calculate formula masses, convert between grams and moles, examine periodic trends, and more! An advanced problems set is posted now; that is a longer assignment and is optional unless you would like to be eligible for the Honor’s Track. You can still earn a regular verified certificate without completing the advanced problem sets, so please be sure to keep working on the normal weekly exercises.

In this week's videos and exercises (aka quizzes), we will learn how to name compounds, calculate formula masses, convert between grams and moles, examine periodic trends, and more!

I hope you enjoyed the last two weeks of learning chemistry. Great work on watching videos, posting on the discussion forum and submitting your exercises!

Week 4 for Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios is about to begin! This week will be filled with introductions to chemical compositions, chemical reaction terminology, and reaction calculations.

If any of the following questions interest you, then watching this week's videos and doing some practice problems are probably a good way to get started! How much sodium is in my diet? What amount of pollutants are in drinking water? How much iron is in iron ore for steel production? These of the types of problems you will be able to address this week.

In the past five weeks of the course, we have learned concepts, rules, and skills, including but not limited to: the definitions of atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds; energy changes; Coulomb’s Law, molecular stoichiometry; atomic structures; periodic trends; the mole; compounds; atomic and molecular masses; molecular stoichiometry; balancing chemical equations.

In this coming week, we will be discussing aqueous solutions, solubility rules, precipitations and electrolytes! We are also going to learn the first type of chemical reaction equation in this course: Dissolutions.

We are almost at the end of our course! I hope this has been a rewarding experience for you because I know that the course is not an easy one and it is relatively long. So kudos to everyone who has made it this far!

Week 6 for Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios will include very basic introductions to acid-base and redox reactions. We will also practice combining what we know from previous weeks to complete reaction calculations.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

This course takes a creative approach to an otherwise established topic, field, or subject

Strong fit with a particular audience, either based on learners experience level, field, or interests

Develops professional skills or deep expertise in a particular topic or set of topics

Builds a strong foundation for beginners

Teaches skills, knowledge, and/or tools that are highly relevant to industry

If this course is explicitly requires learners to come in with extensive background knowledge first

Reviews summary

Strong foundation in basic chemistry

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in basic chemistry concepts, making it suitable for those with limited prior background. Many students found the lectures clear and engaging, appreciating the focus on problem-solving and practical calculations like stoichiometry. While the course is largely well-received, some reviewers noted the pace can be challenging, particularly if you are completely new to the subject, and stressed the necessity of strong algebra skills as a prerequisite. Reviewers suggest that revisiting videos and using supplemental resources can be helpful for certain topics. Overall, it is seen as a solid introductory course.

Strong algebra skills are necessary.

"You definitely need a good grasp of algebra before taking this course; calculations are a major part."

"Students struggling with the math seemed to find the problem sets particularly difficult."

"Make sure your algebra is solid, as it's used extensively in stoichiometry and other calculations."

Emphasis on practical problem-solving.

"I appreciated the focus on solving practical chemistry problems, like reaction calculations."

"The exercises and problem sets were challenging but really helped solidify the concepts."

"Learning how to approach and solve stoichiometry problems was incredibly useful."

Instructor is effective and engaging.

"The instructor explained concepts very clearly, breaking down complex ideas into understandable parts."

"Enjoyed the lecture style and the way the material was presented."

"The demos were a great addition and helped visualize some of the concepts discussed."

Excellent introduction for beginners.

"This course is an excellent introduction to basic chemistry, laying a solid foundation for future studies."

"I had very little chemistry background, and this course gave me a clear starting point and built my understanding well."

"It covered the fundamentals thoroughly, preparing me for more advanced chemistry concepts."

"Came into this with zero chemistry, left feeling confident in core concepts like moles and reactions."

Requires significant effort and focus.

"The pace was quite fast at times, requiring me to rewatch lectures and spend extra time on the problem sets."

"Found the material challenging, especially integrating concepts from previous weeks into calculations."

"It's definitely not an easy course, you need to commit regular study time to keep up with the new topics introduced weekly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios with these activities:

Chemistry lab safety workshop

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Understanding proper laboratory safety protocols is essential for students taking chemistry courses. This workshop will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work safely in the lab.

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Attend the workshop and take notes.
Participate in the hands-on activities.
Ask questions and clarify any doubts.

Review algebra skills

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A strong foundation in algebra is essential for solving stoichiometry problems accurately. This activity will help you brush up on your algebra skills.

Browse courses on Algebra

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Review the order of operations.
Practice solving algebraic equations.
Apply your algebra skills to solve simple stoichiometry problems.

Chemistry: The Central Science

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Reading a textbook can provide you with a more in-depth understanding of the concepts covered in this course.

View Chemistry on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Answer the end-of-chapter questions.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Khan Academy: Acids and Bases

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The Khan Academy tutorials provide clear and concise explanations of acids and bases, which can help you understand this topic more easily.

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Sign up for a free Khan Academy account.
Search for and watch the videos on acids and bases.
Take the practice quizzes to test your understanding.

Balancing chemical equations worksheet

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Balancing chemical equations is essential to solving stoichiometry problems, which is a core topic in this course. This activity will help you gain proficiency in this skill.

Browse courses on Stoichiometry

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Review the rules for balancing chemical equations.
Work through practice problems on your own or with a tutor.
Check your answers against the provided answer key.
Redo any problems that you get wrong.

Dimensional analysis worksheet

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Dimensional analysis is a valuable tool for solving stoichiometry problems. This activity will help you develop proficiency in this technique.

Browse courses on Stoichiometry

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Review the steps of dimensional analysis.
Work through practice problems on your own or with a tutor.
Check your answers against the provided answer key.
Redo any problems that you get wrong.

Create a concept map of chemical reactions

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Creating a concept map can help you visualize the relationships between different types of chemical reactions and their stoichiometric principles.

Browse courses on Chemical Reactions

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Identify the main concepts related to chemical reactions.
Draw a diagram that connects these concepts.
Add details and examples to illustrate the relationships.

Attend a chemistry club meeting

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Attending chemistry club meetings can provide you with opportunities to discuss course material with peers, ask questions to experts, and learn about career paths in chemistry.

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Find a chemistry club at your school or in your community.
Attend a meeting and introduce yourself.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chemist

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Chemical Engineer

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Materials Scientist

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Biochemist

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Forensic Scientist

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Pharmacist

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Environmental Scientist

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Science Teacher

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Laboratory Technician

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Quality Control Analyst

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Sales Representative

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Technical Writer

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Patent Attorney

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Science Policy Advisor

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Science Journalist

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