BackCHEM 10003 Chemical Principles: Chapters 2–9 Mini-Study Guide
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Chapter 2: Chemistry and Measurements
Section 2.1: Units of Measurement
Measurements in chemistry use standardized units to ensure consistency and accuracy. The metric system and SI (International System of Units) are commonly used.
Volume: Liter (L), milliliter (mL)
Length: Meter (m), centimeter (cm)
Mass: Gram (g), kilogram (kg)
Temperature: Celsius (°C), Kelvin (K)
Time: Second (s)
Section 2.2: Measured Numbers and Significant Figures
Measured numbers are obtained by measurement, while exact numbers are counted or defined.
Significant Figures: Digits in a measured number that indicate precision.
Determining Significant Figures: All nonzero digits are significant; zeros between nonzero digits are significant; leading zeros are not significant; trailing zeros are significant if there is a decimal point.
Section 2.3: Significant Figures in Calculation
Calculated answers must reflect the correct number of significant figures.
Multiplication/Division: Result has the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures.
Addition/Subtraction: Result has the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places.
Rounding: If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, leave the preceding digit unchanged; if 5 or greater, increase the preceding digit by 1.
Section 2.4: Prefixes and Equalities
Prefixes indicate multiples or fractions of base units.
Kilo- (k): units
Centi- (c): units
Milli- (m): units
Equality Example:
Section 2.5: Writing Conversion Factors
Conversion factors relate two units describing the same quantity.
Metric Example:
US Example:
Section 2.6: Problem Solving Using Unit Conversion
Dimensional analysis uses conversion factors to change units.
Example: To convert 5.0 cm to meters:
Section 2.7: Density
Density is the ratio of mass to volume.
Formula:
Example: If mass = 10 g and volume = 2 mL, density =
Applications: Use density to find mass or volume if the other is known.
Chapter 3: Matter and Energy
Section 3.1: Classification of Matter
Matter can be classified based on composition and uniformity.
Pure Substances: Elements (e.g., O2, Fe) and compounds (e.g., H2O, NaCl)
Mixtures: Homogeneous (uniform, e.g., salt water) and heterogeneous (non-uniform, e.g., sand and water)
Section 3.2: States and Properties of Matter
Matter exists in three states and has physical and chemical properties.
States: Solid, liquid, gas
Physical Properties: Color, melting point, density
Chemical Properties: Reactivity, flammability
Section 3.3: Temperature
Temperature can be converted between scales.
Celsius to Kelvin:
Celsius to Fahrenheit:
Section 3.4: Energy
Energy is the capacity to do work; it can be potential or kinetic.
Potential Energy: Stored energy (e.g., chemical bonds)
Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion
Unit Conversion:
Section 3.5: Energy and Nutrition
Food energy is measured in calories (Cal), kilocalories (kcal), or kilojoules (kJ).
Example: If a food contains 100 kcal, it is equivalent to
Section 3.6: Specific Heat
Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 g of a substance by 1°C.
Formula: where = heat, = mass, = specific heat, = change in temperature
Prediction: Substances with higher specific heat require more energy to change temperature.
Section 3.7: Changes of State
Matter changes state through physical processes.
Melting: Solid to liquid
Freezing: Liquid to solid
Sublimation: Solid to gas
Deposition: Gas to solid
Vaporization: Liquid to gas
Condensation: Gas to liquid
Heating/Cooling Curves: Show temperature changes during state transitions
Chapter 4: Atoms and Elements
Section 4.1: Elements and Symbols
Each element has a unique name and symbol.
Example: Sodium (Na), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O)
Group Examples: Group 1: H, Li, Na, K; Group 17: F, Cl, Br, I
Section 4.2: The Periodic Table
The periodic table organizes elements by groups and periods.
Groups: Vertical columns (e.g., Group 1: Alkali metals)
Periods: Horizontal rows
Classification: Metals, nonmetals, metalloids
Section 4.3: The Atom
Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Proton: Charge +1, mass ~1 amu, located in nucleus
Neutron: Charge 0, mass ~1 amu, located in nucleus
Electron: Charge -1, mass ~0.0005 amu, located outside nucleus
Section 4.4: Atomic Number and Mass Number
Atomic number is the number of protons; mass number is protons plus neutrons.
Number of Electrons: Equal to protons in a neutral atom
Example: Carbon-12: 6 protons, 6 neutrons, 6 electrons
Section 4.5: Isotopes and Atomic Mass
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Atomic Symbol: , where A = mass number, Z = atomic number, X = element symbol
Example:
Section 4.6: Electron Energy Levels
Electrons occupy energy levels around the nucleus.
Example: Sodium (Na): 2, 8, 1
Section 4.7: Trend in Periodic Properties
Periodic properties depend on electron arrangement.
Valence Electrons: Electrons in the outermost energy level
Lewis Symbols: Dots around element symbol representing valence electrons
Chapter 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Section 5.1: Natural Radioactivity
Radioactive decay emits particles or energy.
Alpha (): ; low penetration, shielded by paper
Beta (): ; moderate penetration, shielded by plastic
Positron ():
Gamma (): Energy; high penetration, shielded by lead
Biological Effects: Can damage cells and DNA
Section 5.2: Nuclear Reactions
Nuclear equations show changes in atomic and mass numbers.
Alpha Decay Example:
Beta Decay Example:
Positron Emission Example:
Gamma Emission:
Section 5.3: Half-Life of a Radioisotope
Half-life is the time for half the radioactive atoms to decay.
Formula: where = number of half-lives
Section 5.4: Nuclear Fission and Fusion
Fission splits heavy nuclei; fusion combines light nuclei.
Fission: Used in nuclear reactors
Fusion: Powers the sun
Chapter 6: Ionic and Molecular Compounds
Section 6.1: Ions: Transfer of Electrons
Atoms gain or lose electrons to form ions.
Cations: Positive ions (e.g., Na+)
Anions: Negative ions (e.g., Cl-)
Section 6.2: Ionic Compounds
Ionic compounds are formed by charge balance between cations and anions.
Example: Na+ + Cl- → NaCl
Section 6.3: Naming and Writing Ionic Formulas
Ionic compounds are named based on their ions.
Representative Elements: Name cation, then anion (e.g., sodium chloride)
Transition Metals: Use Roman numerals for charge (e.g., iron(III) oxide)
Section 6.4: Polyatomic Ions
Polyatomic ions are groups of atoms with a charge.
Example: Nitrate (NO3-), sulfate (SO42-)
Compound Example: NaNO3 (sodium nitrate)
Section 6.5: Molecular Compounds: Sharing Electrons
Molecular compounds are formed by sharing electrons.
Example: H2O (water), CO2 (carbon dioxide)
Section 6.6: Lewis Structures for Molecules
Lewis structures show how atoms share electrons.
Octet Rule: Atoms tend to have eight electrons in their valence shell
Example: Water: H–O–H with two lone pairs on O
Section 6.7: Electronegativity and Bond Polarity
Electronegativity determines bond polarity.
Polar Bond: Unequal sharing of electrons (e.g., H–Cl)
Nonpolar Bond: Equal sharing (e.g., H–H)
Section 6.8: Shapes of Molecules
Molecular shape is predicted by VSEPR theory.
Linear: CO2
Bent: H2O
Trigonal Planar: BF3
Trigonal Pyramidal: NH3
Tetrahedral: CH4
Section 6.9: Polarity of Molecules
Polarity depends on shape and bond polarity.
Polar Molecule: H2O
Nonpolar Molecule: CO2
Chapter 7: Chemical Quantities and Reactions
Section 7.1: The Mole
The mole is a counting unit for atoms, molecules, or ions.
Avogadro's Number: particles per mole
Example: 2 moles of Na = atoms
Section 7.2: Molar Mass
Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance.
Example: H2O: g/mol
Section 7.3: Calculations Using Molar Mass
Molar mass is used to convert between grams and moles.
Formula:
Section 7.4: Equations for Chemical Reactions
Chemical equations show reactants and products.
Balanced Equation: Number of atoms is equal on both sides
Example:
Section 7.6: Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Oxidation is loss of electrons; reduction is gain of electrons.
Inorganic Example: Zn + Cu2+ → Zn2+ + Cu
Biological Example: NAD+ + 2H → NADH + H+
Section 7.7: Mole Relationships in Chemical Equations
Balanced equations provide mole ratios for calculations.
Example: (2:1:2 ratio)
Section 7.8: Mass Calculations for Chemical Reactions
Mass of reactants and products can be calculated using mole ratios and molar mass.
Example: Calculate mass of H2O produced from 4 g H2
Section 7.9: Energy in Chemical Reactions
Reactions can absorb or release energy.
Exothermic: Releases energy (e.g., combustion)
Endothermic: Absorbs energy (e.g., photosynthesis)
Factors Affecting Rate: Concentration, temperature, catalysts
Chapter 8: Gases
Section 8.1: Property of Gases
Gases are described by kinetic molecular theory.
Properties: Pressure, volume, temperature, amount (moles)
Units: Pressure (atm, mmHg), volume (L), temperature (K), amount (mol)
Section 8.2: Pressure and Volume (Boyle’s Law)
Boyle’s Law relates pressure and volume at constant temperature and amount.
Formula:
Application: Inspiration and expiration in lungs
Section 8.3: Temperature and Volume (Charles’s Law)
Charles’s Law relates temperature and volume at constant pressure and amount.
Formula:
Section 8.4: Temperature and Pressure (Gay-Lussac’s Law)
Gay-Lussac’s Law relates temperature and pressure at constant volume and amount.
Formula:
Section 8.5: The Combined Gas Law
The combined gas law relates pressure, volume, and temperature.
Formula:
Chapter 9: Solutions
Section 9.1: Solutions
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent.
Solute: Substance dissolved
Solvent: Substance doing the dissolving (usually water)
Formation: Solute particles disperse uniformly in solvent
Section 9.2: Electrolytes and Nonelectrolytes
Electrolytes conduct electricity; nonelectrolytes do not.
Electrolytes: Ionic compounds (e.g., NaCl)
Nonelectrolytes: Molecular compounds (e.g., sugar)
Section 9.3: Solubility
Solubility is the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a solvent.
Unsaturated Solution: Can dissolve more solute
Saturated Solution: Cannot dissolve more solute
Temperature Effects: Solubility of solids increases with temperature; gases decrease
Solubility Table: Used to identify soluble/insoluble ionic compounds
Section 9.4: Solution Concentration
Concentration expresses the amount of solute in a solution.
Mass Percent:
Volume Percent:
Mass/Volume Percent:
Molarity:
Section 9.5: Dilution of Solutions
Dilution reduces concentration by adding solvent.
Formula: where = concentration, = volume
Example: To dilute 10 mL of 2 M solution to 1 M: mL