Courses Details

Chemistry STPGT Syllabus

1. Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry

• States and properties of matter; units and measurements (SI system), uncertainty, dimensional analysis.

• Laws of chemical combination; basic concepts of elements, atoms, and molecules.

• Molecular and atomic masses, mole concept, empirical and molecular formula, calculations using percentage composition and stoichiometry.

• Limiting reagent and equivalent weight; basics of eudiometry.

2. States of Matter (Gaseous and Liquid)

• Gaseous State: Gas laws, ideal gas equation, deviations, van der Waals equation and constants, liquefaction of gases, kinetic theory, molecular speeds, mean free path, viscosity, heat capacities, and atomicity.

• Liquid State: Vapour pressure, viscosity, surface tension (qualitative), and temperature/pressure dependence; introduction to liquid crystals.

3. Solid State

• Types of solids (molecular, ionic, covalent, metallic), amorphous vs. crystalline, laws of crystallography.

• Unit cells, crystal systems, Bragg’s law, packing efficiency, density, voids, point defects.

• Electrical/magnetic properties, band theory, conductors, semiconductors (n/p-types), and superconductors.

4. Thermodynamics

• Concepts of system, surroundings, types of processes, properties (extensive/intensive), and state functions.

• First Law and its applications; work in reversible/irreversible processes, heat capacities, Joule-Thomson effect.

• Internal energy and enthalpy changes, Hess’s law, enthalpies of various processes.

• Limitations of First Law, Second and Third Laws, entropy, spontaneity (Gibbs free energy), and thermodynamic equilibrium.

5. Equilibrium

• Chemical Equilibrium: Dynamic equilibrium, equilibrium constants, Le Chatelier’s principle, Van’t Hoff equation.

• Ionic Equilibrium: Ionization of acids/bases, pH concept, Ostwald’s dilution law, hydrolysis, buffer solutions, solubility product, and common ion effect.

6. Electrochemistry

• Electrolytic conductance, laws of electrolysis, transport number, ionic mobility, conductivity.

• Electrochemical cells: Galvanic/Voltaic cells, EMF, standard electrode potentials, Nernst equation.

• Thermodynamics of cells, fuel cells, storage cells, corrosion, and applications.

7. Chemical Kinetics

• Reaction rates, rate laws, order and molecularity, integrated rate equations.

• Determination of order and rate constant, collision theory, activation energy, and Arrhenius equation.

8. Solutions

• Types of solutions, concentration terms (M, m, N, %, mole fraction).

• Ideal and non-ideal solutions, colligative properties and Raoult’s law.

• Abnormal molecular masses, van’t Hoff factor, analogy with ideal gases.

9. Surface Chemistry & Catalysis

• Adsorption: types, isotherms, industrial applications.

• Colloids: types, properties, stability, emulsions, micelles.

• Catalysis: types, mechanism, industrial and biological applications.

10. Polymers

• Definitions, classification, polymerization methods, degree of polymerization.

• Natural and synthetic polymers, biodegradable polymers, PDI.

11. Atomic Structure

• Discovery of subatomic particles, quantum theory, models of atom (Rutherford, Bohr, Sommerfeld).

• Dual nature, de Broglie, Heisenberg principle, Schrodinger equation, orbitals, quantum numbers, electron configuration.

12. Periodic Classification

• Evolution of periodic table, periodic law, modern periodic table.

• Trends in atomic/ionic radii, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, oxidation states.

13. Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure

• Ionic/covalent bonding, bond parameters, VSEPR theory, hybridization, molecular orbital theory.

• Lewis structures, resonance, dipole moment, hydrogen bonding.

14. Oxidation and Reduction

• Concepts, redox reactions, oxidation number, balancing redox equations, redox potential.

15. Hydrogen and Its Compounds

• Position in periodic table, isotopes, hydrides, water, hydrogen peroxide, heavy water.

• Hydrogen economy and fuel applications.

16. Metallurgy

• Extraction principles, reduction/oxidation methods for Na, Ca, Al, Cu, Zn, Fe.

17. s-Block Elements

• General properties, trends, diagonal relationships.

• Important compounds of Na and Ca; biological significance of Na, K, Mg, Ca.

18. p-Block Elements (Groups 13–18)

• Group trends and properties; preparation and uses of key compounds like borax, boric acid, ammonia, nitric acid, SO₂, halogens, and interhalogen compounds.

19. d- and f-Block Elements

• Transition metal properties, complex formation, oxidation states, magnetic behavior.

• Lanthanoids and actinoids; compounds like KMnO₄ and K₂Cr₂O₇.

20. Coordination Compounds

• Basic concepts, Werner’s theory, ligands, IUPAC naming, isomerism.

• VBT, CFT, color, magnetism, and bio-inorganic importance.

• Organometallics: carbonyls, nitrosyls, olefins, ferrocene.

21. Organic Chemistry – Basics

• Bonding, hybridization, resonance, effects (inductive, mesomeric), polarity, acid/base strength.

• Spectroscopy basics: UV, IR, NMR.

22. Reaction Mechanisms & Reagents

• Reaction types: substitution, elimination (E1, E2), addition.

• Intermediates: carbocations, carbanions, free radicals.

• Key reagents: Grignard, LiAlH₄, NBS, etc.

23. Stereochemistry

• Isomer types, optical activity, chirality, conformations of alkanes and cyclohexanes.

• Racemic mixtures, Walden inversion, stereoselectivity.

24. Hydrocarbons

• Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes: nomenclature, reactions, mechanisms.

• Aromatic compounds: benzene, electrophilic substitution, synthesis, carcinogenicity.

25. Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

• Structure, physical/chemical properties, nucleophilic substitution, synthetic applications, environmental concerns.

26. Oxygen-containing Compounds

• Alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids: properties, mechanisms, identification, and synthetic applications.

27. Nitrogen-containing Organic Compounds

• Nitro compounds, amines (types, synthesis), cyanides, isocyanides, diazonium salts.

28. Biomolecules

• Carbohydrates: Structures of glucose/fructose, mutarotation, polysaccharides.

• Proteins: Amino acids, peptide bonds, protein structure, enzyme action.

• Nucleic acids: DNA/RNA structure, nucleotides, ATP, vitamins, hormones.

29. Chemistry in Everyday Life

• Drug classifications, mechanisms, food additives, sweeteners, preservatives, soaps/detergents, antioxidants, personal care chemicals.

30. Environmental Chemistry

• Pollution (air, water, soil), smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, greenhouse effect, industrial waste management.