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General Chemistry: Reactions in Aqueous Solution

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Terms in this set (26)

  • What is a solution?
    A solution is a homogeneous mixture made of two or more components that form a uniform composition.
  • Define solute and solvent in a solution.
    Solute is the component dissolved in the solvent. Solvent is the component present in the largest amount that dissolves the solute.
  • What distinguishes suspensions, colloids, and solutions by particle size?
    Suspensions have particles > 1000 nm that settle out. Colloids have particles between 1 nm and 500 nm that do not settle. Solutions have particles < 1 nm and are homogeneous.
  • What are electrolytes?
    Electrolytes are compounds that conduct electricity by dissociating into ions when dissolved or melted.
  • What defines a strong electrolyte?
    Strong electrolytes completely dissociate into ions in solution. They include strong acids, strong bases, and soluble ionic compounds.
  • List common strong acids.
    Strong acids include HCl, HBr, HI, HClO3, HClO4, HNO3, H2SO4, and periodic acid (HIO4).
  • What defines a strong base?
    Strong bases are hydroxides of Group 1A and heavier Group 2A metals, such as NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2, and Ba(OH)2.
  • What are weak electrolytes?
    Weak electrolytes partially dissociate into ions and include weak acids and weak bases.
  • What are non-electrolytes?
    Non-electrolytes are molecular/covalent compounds that do not dissociate into ions, such as water, sugars, and alcohols.
  • What is solubility?
    Solubility is the ability of a solute to dissolve in a solvent. Soluble compounds dissolve; insoluble compounds do not.
  • What is the GANA CASH mnemonic for soluble ionic compounds?
    GANA CASH stands for Group 1A, NH4+, NO3–, Acetates, ClO3–/ClO4–, and SO42– as generally soluble ions, with some exceptions.
  • What is the COPS mnemonic for insoluble ionic compounds?
    COPS stands for CO32–, OH–, PO43–, and S2– as generally insoluble ions, with exceptions that form soluble compounds.
  • What is a molecular equation?
    A molecular equation shows reactants and products as intact molecules, not dissociated ions.
  • What is a precipitation reaction?
    A precipitation reaction occurs when at least one product is an insoluble ionic compound (a precipitate).
  • What is a gas evolution reaction?
    A gas evolution reaction produces a gas such as H2S, CO2, or SO2, often via decomposition of a median product.
  • What is a complete ionic equation?
    A complete ionic equation shows all soluble ionic compounds dissociated into their ions.
  • What is a net ionic equation?
    A net ionic equation shows only the ions and molecules directly involved in the chemical reaction, excluding spectator ions.
  • How is oxidation number defined?
    Oxidation number is the hypothetical charge an atom would have if electrons were assigned to the more electronegative element.
  • What is the oxidation number of an atom in its natural state?
    The oxidation number of an atom in its natural (elemental) state is zero.
  • What is the LEO the lion goes GER mnemonic?
    LEO means 'Lose Electrons = Oxidation'; GER means 'Gain Electrons = Reduction'.
  • What is a redox reaction?
    A redox reaction involves the transfer of electrons; oxidation is loss of electrons, reduction is gain of electrons.
  • What is the activity series?
    The activity series ranks elements by their ability to displace others in single displacement reactions; higher elements displace lower ones.
  • How is molarity defined?
    Molarity (M) is the number of moles of solute per liter of solution.
  • What is osmolarity?
    Osmolarity is the total concentration of all ions in solution, calculated as the number of ions times the molarity of the compound.
  • What is dilution and its formula?
    Dilution is adding solvent to decrease concentration. The formula is \(M_1V_1 = M_2V_2\).
  • What is solution stoichiometry?
    Solution stoichiometry uses molarity and volume to calculate amounts of reactants or products in solution reactions.