What Is General Chemistry and What Topics Does It Cover?

General chemistry is the introductory college-level chemistry course that covers the composition, properties, and changes of matter, from atomic structure through equilibrium and electrochemistry. It is the standard first course for science majors and the prerequisite for organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry. If you are planning a course sequence or deciding whether a video course covers what you need, the topic list below is the practical checklist.

Core Topics in a General Chemistry Course

Most general chemistry sequences follow roughly this order, because each block depends on the one before it.

1. Foundations and Measurement

• Units, significant figures, dimensional analysis
• Classification of matter: elements, compounds, mixtures
• Naming inorganic compounds and writing formulas

2. Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

• Subatomic particles, isotopes, atomic mass
• Electron configuration and orbital diagrams
• Periodic trends: atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity

3. Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

• Ionic vs. covalent bonding
• Lewis structures, resonance, formal charge
• VSEPR geometry and molecular polarity
• Intermolecular forces and their effect on physical properties

4. Stoichiometry and Chemical Reactions

• The mole concept and molar mass
• Balancing equations and limiting reactant problems
• Percent yield
• Reaction types: precipitation, acid-base, redox

5. Solutions and Concentration

• Molarity, molality, dilution calculations
• Solubility rules and net ionic equations
• Colligative properties

6. Thermochemistry

• Enthalpy, calorimetry, Hess's law
• Standard enthalpies of formation

7. Kinetics and Equilibrium

• Reaction rates and rate laws
• Le Chatelier's principle and equilibrium constants
• ICE tables

8. Acids, Bases, and Buffers

• pH, pKa, strong vs. weak acids
• Titration curves
• Buffer calculations

9. Electrochemistry

• Oxidation numbers and balancing redox reactions
• Galvanic and electrolytic cells
• Standard reduction potentials

How General Chemistry Differs from Organic and Physical Chemistry

General chemistry is broad and calculation-heavy; organic chemistry narrows to carbon compounds and reaction pathways; physical chemistry goes deeper into the math behind the same principles.

Prerequisites and What Comes Next

• Before: High school algebra is the usual math prerequisite. Some sequences also expect basic trigonometry or precalculus, depending on how much of thermodynamics and kinetics is covered quantitatively.
• After: Organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and physical chemistry all build on general chemistry.

Using Video-Tutor.net for General Chemistry

Video-Tutor.net lists General Chemistry as course 5 in its course menu, alongside algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, physics, organic chemistry, and statistics. The site also provides formula sheets, video playlists, final exam videos, and test prep videos, which map well onto the topic blocks above if you want to review a specific unit rather than the whole course. The site lists a membership option for full-length final exams and worksheets; the page does not state pricing, so check the membership page directly before assuming cost or access terms.

Quick Self-Check

If you can do the following, you have covered the core of general chemistry:

1. Write an electron configuration and predict a periodic trend.
2. Draw a Lewis structure and determine molecular geometry.
3. Convert grams to moles and solve a limiting reactant problem.
4. Calculate the pH of a weak acid solution.
5. Balance a redox reaction and identify the anode and cathode in a cell.

If any of these are unfamiliar, that block is where to focus next.