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This paper addresses the question "What must be in General Chemistry" by asking what are the fundamental ideas of chemistry that are essential for every potential scientist, engineer and medical practitioner to understand for their professional studies and to become the chemically literate citizens of the future. It is proposed that the six "Great Ideas of Chemistry" are
1. Atoms, Molecules and Ions: The building blocks of matter
2. The Chemical Bond: Atoms are held together in molecules and crystals by electrostatic forces.
3. Molecular Shape and Geometry: Atoms and molecules are held together in molecules and crystals in well-defined geometric arrangements.
4. The Kinetic Theory: Atoms and molecules are always moving.
5. The Chemical Reaction: Atoms in molecules and crystals can be rearranged to form new molecules and crystals.
6. Energy and Entropy. The extent to which physical changes and chemical reactions proceed is controlled by accompanying energy and entropy changes.
The level to which these topics should be taken in the General Chemistry course is discussed. It is suggested that these topics should be introduced early in the course and then used and expanded throughout the course as needed to account for the macroscopic properties and reactions of substances in terms of their atomic and molecular structure.
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