General Chemistry 2026

Quantum Mechanics and electronic structure of atoms

What you’ll learn
How quantum mechanics explains and predicts the behavior of electrons in atoms and molecules.
How atomic and molecular orbitals arise from solutions of the Schrödinger equation.
Quantum mechanics also helps us explain and predict periodic trends
Provides the foundation for understanding chemical bonding and molecular shapes.
This course provides the essential quantum framework needed to understand atomic structure, bonding, and the properties of elements and molecules.

Requirements
Completion of high school studies, including basic background in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Enrollment in a college or university program, typically in a science-related field such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacy, or a related major.
Familiarity with simple ideas about energy, waves, light, and motion.
Basic mathematics skills: Ability to work with algebra, simple equations, graphs, and basic calculus (derivatives and integrals).
General scientific reasoning skills: Comfort with interpreting graphs, following equations, and applying concepts to solve problems.

Description
The purpose of the quantum mechanics course is to provide students with a solid and fundamental framework for understanding the behavior of electrons in atoms and molecules. Electrons do not behave like classical particles; instead, they exhibit wave–particle duality, meaning they can act both as particles and as waves depending on the situation. This dual nature leads to unique behaviors, such as interference and diffraction, that cannot be explained by classical physics. Electrons also occupy quantized energy levels, which restrict them to certain allowed states and determine how they interact with light, energy, and other particles. These quantized states are responsible for many observable phenomena, including atomic emission and absorption spectra, chemical bonding patterns, and the formation of molecular orbitals.This course introduces the key principles and mathematical tools required to describe these behaviors accurately. Students will learn about wavefunctions, probability distributions, operators, and the Schrödinger equation, which together allow the calculation of energy levels and electronic distributions in atoms and molecules. Understanding these concepts is essential for explaining molecular geometry, chemical reactivity, spectroscopy, and the electronic basis of chemical properties.By the end of the course, students will develop the ability to predict and rationalize the behavior of electrons, providing a critical foundation for advanced studies in chemistry, physics, and related fields. Quantum mechanics is therefore not only a theoretical framework but also a practical tool for understanding and exploring the microscopic world of matter.

Who this course is for
Quantum Mechanics and electronic structure of atoms is a fundamental course required in many scientific university majors. It is mainly taken by students in: • Chemistry • Biochemistry • Chemical Engineering • Biology • Pharmacy • Biotechnology • Materials Science • Environmental Science

https://www.udemy.com/course/general-chemistry-m/