This free course, The molecular world, introduces you to the concepts and principles that underpin chemistry at the molecular level. Everyday experiences are used to help you to understand the more complex issues.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Explain what is meant by isotopes, atomic numbers and mass numbers of the atoms of chemical elements by referring to the Rutherford model of the atom
• Give an example of how differences in the molecular structures of chemical compounds give rise to differences in macroscopic properties
• Indicate ways in which the chemical periodicity represented by a Periodic Table matches the periodicity in the electronic structure of atoms
• Use the Lewis structures of one or two simple chemical substances to illustrate the ideas of the octet rule, the electron-pair bond and the valence-shell repulsion theory of molecular shape
• Select a set of organic molecules, each of which contains the same functional group, and use its reactions to show why the functional group concept is useful.