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CHE 1101 Final Exam Review – Study Guide: Step-by-Step Guidance

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Study Guide - Smart Notes

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Q1. What are the three subatomic particles that make up an atom? What are the differences between them? Where are each located within the atom?

Background

Topic: Atomic Structure

This question tests your understanding of the basic structure of atoms, including the types, properties, and locations of subatomic particles.

Key Terms:

  • Subatomic particles: The particles that make up an atom (protons, neutrons, electrons).

  • Nucleus: The dense center of the atom.

  • Electron cloud: The region surrounding the nucleus where electrons are found.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the three main subatomic particles found in all atoms.

  2. For each particle, describe its relative mass and charge (positive, negative, or neutral).

  3. Identify where each particle is located within the atom (nucleus or electron cloud).

  4. Summarize the main differences between these particles in terms of their properties and locations.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q2. Describe isotopes and what differs between two isotopes of the same atom.

Background

Topic: Isotopes and Atomic Structure

This question tests your understanding of isotopes and how atoms of the same element can differ.

Key Terms:

  • Isotope: Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

  • Atomic number: Number of protons in the nucleus.

  • Mass number: Total number of protons and neutrons.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Define what an isotope is in terms of atomic structure.

  2. Explain which subatomic particle(s) differ between isotopes of the same element.

  3. Discuss how isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties but different masses.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q3. What gives a cation a positive charge? What gives an anion a negative charge? (What happens to the balance?)

Background

Topic: Ions and Atomic Structure

This question tests your understanding of how ions are formed and why they carry positive or negative charges.

Key Terms:

  • Cation: A positively charged ion.

  • Anion: A negatively charged ion.

  • Electron transfer: The process of gaining or losing electrons.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Define cation and anion in terms of electron loss or gain.

  2. Explain what happens to the number of protons and electrons when an atom becomes a cation or anion.

  3. Describe how the balance between protons and electrons determines the overall charge.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q4. Describe the different types of matter and give examples of each: element, compound, heterogeneous mixture, and homogeneous mixture.

Background

Topic: Classification of Matter

This question tests your ability to classify matter and provide examples of each type.

Key Terms:

  • Element: A pure substance made of only one kind of atom.

  • Compound: A substance made of two or more elements chemically combined.

  • Heterogeneous mixture: A mixture with visibly different parts.

  • Homogeneous mixture: A mixture that is uniform throughout (solution).

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Define each type of matter listed in the question.

  2. Provide a common example for each type (element, compound, heterogeneous mixture, homogeneous mixture).

  3. Explain how you can distinguish between these types based on their composition and appearance.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q5. Where are the metals, metalloids, nonmetals, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, halogens, and noble gases located on the periodic table? What are some common properties of each group?

Background

Topic: Periodic Table and Element Groups

This question tests your knowledge of the layout of the periodic table and the properties of different element groups.

Key Terms:

  • Metals, metalloids, nonmetals: Categories of elements based on properties.

  • Alkali metals: Group 1 elements.

  • Alkaline earth metals: Group 2 elements.

  • Transition metals: Groups 3-12.

  • Halogens: Group 17 elements.

  • Noble gases: Group 18 elements.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Identify the general location of each group on the periodic table (e.g., left, right, middle, staircase).

  2. List at least one common property for each group (e.g., reactivity, conductivity, state at room temperature).

  3. Explain how the position on the periodic table relates to the properties of each group.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q6. What are the differences between groups and periods on the periodic table? Which one tends to contain elements with similar characteristics and properties?

Background

Topic: Periodic Table Organization

This question tests your understanding of how the periodic table is organized and how this relates to element properties.

Key Terms:

  • Group (family): Vertical columns on the periodic table.

  • Period: Horizontal rows on the periodic table.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Define what a group and a period are on the periodic table.

  2. Describe how elements in the same group compare to those in the same period in terms of properties.

  3. Identify which (group or period) contains elements with similar chemical properties and explain why.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q7. What are the common properties of metals? What are the common properties of nonmetals? What are the common properties of metalloids?

Background

Topic: Properties of Elements

This question tests your ability to compare and contrast the physical and chemical properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.

Key Terms:

  • Metals: Elements that are typically shiny, conductive, and malleable.

  • Nonmetals: Elements that are typically dull, poor conductors, and brittle.

  • Metalloids: Elements with properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List at least three common properties of metals.

  2. List at least three common properties of nonmetals.

  3. Describe how metalloids differ from both metals and nonmetals in terms of properties.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q8. Describe the shape of s, p, and d orbitals.

Background

Topic: Atomic Orbitals

This question tests your understanding of the shapes and characteristics of atomic orbitals.

Key Terms:

  • s orbital: Spherical shape.

  • p orbital: Dumbbell shape.

  • d orbital: More complex shapes (cloverleaf, etc.).

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Describe the general shape of an s orbital.

  2. Describe the general shape of a p orbital.

  3. Describe the general shapes of d orbitals and note their complexity compared to s and p orbitals.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q9. How would you recognize an ionic, molecular, or acid compound based on its name? Based on its formula?

Background

Topic: Types of Compounds and Nomenclature

This question tests your ability to identify different types of compounds from their names and formulas.

Key Terms:

  • Ionic compound: Formed from metals and nonmetals; involves electron transfer.

  • Molecular (covalent) compound: Formed from nonmetals; involves electron sharing.

  • Acid: Typically contains hydrogen and produces H+ in solution.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. Identify the typical naming patterns for ionic, molecular, and acid compounds.

  2. Describe how to recognize each type from its chemical formula (e.g., presence of metal, nonmetal, or hydrogen at the start).

  3. Give an example of each type and explain your reasoning.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q10. How would you recognize these different types of chemical reactions: combination (synthesis), decomposition, single displacement (replacement), exchange (double displacement/replacement, or metathesis), combustion, redox, and acid-base neutralization reaction?

Background

Topic: Types of Chemical Reactions

This question tests your ability to classify chemical reactions based on their reactants and products.

Key Terms:

  • Combination (synthesis): Two or more substances combine to form one product.

  • Decomposition: One substance breaks down into two or more products.

  • Single displacement: One element replaces another in a compound.

  • Double displacement (exchange): Ions in two compounds exchange partners.

  • Combustion: A substance reacts with oxygen, often producing heat and light.

  • Redox: Involves transfer of electrons.

  • Acid-base neutralization: Acid reacts with base to form water and a salt.

Step-by-Step Guidance

  1. List the general form of each reaction type (e.g., A + B → AB for combination).

  2. Describe the key features that help you recognize each reaction type.

  3. Provide an example for at least two types and explain your classification.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

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