Chemistry 100, Section A

Chapter Study Guides

Do not forget that there are general objectives listed in the syllabus also.

Unit 1:  Course Introduction
  1. Be able to define: hypothesis, theory, law, research, basic research, applied research, development, science and risk assessment.
  2. Know the steps of the process known as the scientific method.
  3. Know types of science, basic vs. applied research.
  4. Recognize there are difficulties that may hinder a scientific investigation and be able to list several examples of such hindrances.
Unit 2:  Chemistry and Measurement
  1. Be able to define: chemistry, matter, atom, element, molecule (compound), pure substance, heterogenous matter, solution, reactant, product, homogenous matter and density.
  2. Explain the difference between potential and kinetic energy, relating specifically to chemistry.
  3. Know the main branches of chemistry and what each branch deals with.
  4. Be able to list some physical properties such as color, density, etc.
  5. Know the difference between structural formula, molecular formula and condensed formula.
  6. Be able to list the three states of matter and describe their characteristics.
  7. Be able to complete a table of units, measurements or prefixes.
  8. Be able to convert English measurements to metric.
  9. Given a description of some process, be able to identify if a change is chemical of physical .
  10. As the course progresses, be able to identify where some elements or chemicals come from and what they are used for.
  11. Given a chemical equation, be able: (1) to list the elements and number of atoms of each element, (2) to balance the equation by inspection and (3) be able to put the equation into words.
Unit 3:  Atomic Structure
  1. Be able to define and explain: atom, cathode, anode, particle, subatomic particle, proton, neutron, electron, alpha particle, atomic number, mass number, s-electron, p-electron, atomic mass unit, valence electron and nucleus.
  2. Be able to explain John Dalton's atomic theory and the laws it explained.
  3. Know the experiments done to identify subatomic particles.
  4. Be able to diagram and explain Rutherford's experiment.
  5. Be able to diagram an atom.
  6. Be able to define isotope, and given atomic numbers and masses, be able to identify isotopes.
  7. Be able to give electron configuration of an atom.
  8. Given an element, be able to tell how many protons, neutrons and electrons it has.
Unit  4:  The Periodic Table
  1. Be able to define: atomic number, group, period, ionization energy, electronegativity, valence electron and oxidation state.
  2. Be able to state the octet rule.
  3. Know the difference between a group and a period.
  4. Be able to name several groups of the periodic table.
  5. Be able to state the periodic law and describe the periodic trends for size, melting point/boiling point, electronegativity, ionization energy and metallic character.
  6. Be able to predict number of valence electrons and oxidation state of an element.
  7. Given properties of an element, predict where on the periodic chart it lies.
  8. Be able to explain what all elements of a groups have in common.
  9. Know metal vs. nonmetal location and properties.
  10. Know properties of main group elements: reaction with halogens, oxygen, air, and water.
  11. Be able to list some of the important elements of the main group elements and transition elements and what they are used for (focus on things you use in your life).
Unit  5:  Nuclear Chemistry
  1. Be able to define: nucleon, transmutation, nuclear reaction, Z, alpha-particle, alpha-emitter, ß-particle, ß-emitter, gamma-particle, gamma-emitter, half-life, compound nucleus, decay series, positron.
  2. Be able to list the differences between a chemical reaction and a nuclear reaction.
  3. Be able to balance a nuclear reaction, including atomic number, mass number, and element symbol.
  4. Understand that radioactivity was discovered as a result of studying naturally occuring phenomena.
  5. Be able to calculate remaining radioactivity, given an elements half-life and amount initially present (or vice versa).
  6. Be able to estimate, given an atomic number and mass number, whether an element is likely to be radioactive or stable.
  7. Be able to list several uses of radioactivity and be able to explain what type of emitter is required to accomplish the task.
  8. Be able to predict, given an atomic number and mass number, whether an element is likely to be emit an alpha or a beta particle.
  9. Know the sources of the radiation a typical person is exposed to and be able to calculate annual exposure.
  10. Be able to describe the difference between a somatic effect and a genetic effect of radiation.
  11. Be able to recognize and use the three units for the measurement of radioactivity: rem, Curie and Bequerel.
Unit  6:  Chemical Bonding
  1. Be able to define: ion, cation, anion, bond, formula unit, ionic bond, covalent bond, polar bond, polar molecule, Lewis dot structure, multiple covalent bond, VSEPR, dipole moment, linear molecule, bent molecule, pyramidal molecule, tetrahedral molecule and triangular molecule.
  2. Be able to predict whether an ionic or covalent bond will form between two atoms.
  3. Be able to accurately state the octet rule.
  4. Be able to determine the formula unit for the interaction between ions.
  5. Be able to name simple ionic and covalent molecules, given the molecular formula; or vice versa.
  6. Know the names of the polyatomic ions listed in class.
  7. Remember that the number of valence electrons an atom has is a good indicator of the number of bonds it needs to form to become stable.
  8. Be able to draw the Lewis dot structure of simple molecules.
  9. Be able to predict the shape of molecules, using Lewis dot structures and VSEPR.
  10. Remember some of the properties of covalent and ionic molecules.
  11. Remember that a polar bond results when there is a difference in electronegativities of two covalently bonded atoms.
Unit  7:  States of Matter
  1. Be able to define: KMT, particle, vaporization, condensation, melting point, boiling point, vapor pressure, sublimation, solvent, solute, solubility, fluid, absolute zero, miscibility, diffusion, volatile, semiconductor and surface tension.
  2. Be able to list the states of matter and characterize them with respect to packing and motion or particles.
  3. Be able to state or explain the postulates of the KMT.
  4. Know the forces that will hold molecules together (London force, dipole-dipole interaction and hydrogen bond) and be able to explain how each of these forces work, what classes of molecules have them and how strong they are.
  5. Given an energy-phase diagram, be able to say whether the forces between molecules are strong or weak.
  6. Given the molecular formula of two substances, be able to predict which has the higher melting point, etc.
  7. Given the molecular formula of a substance, be able to state which intermolecular forces it will display.
  8. Be able to list and discuss the properties of water.
  9. Know how the KMT explains properties of solids, liquids, and gases.
  10. Understand that solubility is determined by molecular polarity ("like dissolves like").
  11. Be able to list and discuss several factors that affect solubility.
  12. Be able to use the combined gas law to predict what happens to a gas if temperature, volume, or pressure is changed.
  13. Remember Dalton's law of partial pressure and be able to use it.
Unit  8:  Chemical Reactions
  1. Be able to define and explain: Chemical reaction, Avagadro's number, mole, Le Chatelier's principle, catalyst, molar mass, activation energy, entropy, exothermic reaction, endothermic reaction, reaction rate, chemical equilibrium and stoichiometry.
  2. Be able to indicate whether or not a chemical reaction has taken place.
  3. Given a balanced chemical equation, be able to communicate all the information the equation provides.
  4. Be able to balance a chemical equation.
  5. Be able to calculate the molar mass of a substance.
  6. Be able to calculate the yield of product, given the mass of reactant used.
  7. Know the three ways to control reaction rate.
  8. Be able to write and explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
  9. Be able to briefly explain entropy and energy as driving forces of chemical reactions.
  10. Given an equilibrium constant, be able to indicate whether an equilibrium reaction goes far towards "completion."
  11. Be able to predict the effect of increasing or decreasing product or reactant on chemical equilibrium (Le Chatelier's principle).
Unit  9:  Acid-Base Chemistry
  1. Be able to define and explain: weak acid, strong acid, dissociation, pH, electrolyte, spectator ion, amphiprotic, acidic solution, basic solution, neutral solution, ionization, litmus paper, conjugate acid, conjugate base, molarity, normality and buffer.
  2. List 4 properties of acids and 4 properties of bases.
  3. List Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases and be able to identify molecules as acids or bases.
  4. Be able to predict the products of an acid-base reaction:
    5.                  acid + base ----> water + a salt (which one?)
  5. Acids to remember: HCl, H2SO4, and HNO3 (strong) and CH3COOH (weak).
  6. Bases to remember: NH3 (weak), Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, OH--containing molecules.
  7. Given a simple balanced acid-base reaction, identify acid, base, conjugate base, and conjugate acid.
  8. Be able to predict the strength of a conjugate acid or base.
  9. Be able to write out the total ionic equation and net ionic equation for an acid-base reaction.
  10. Be able to predict the dissociation products of acids, bases and ionic compounds.
  11. Given an oxide, predict whether it is acidic or basic.
  12. Given the pH of a solution, identify whether it is acidic, basic, or neutral.
  13. Be able to perform simple calculations to determine molarity and normality of solutions.
  14. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of a buffer.
  15. Be able to state what molecules would make a good buffer system.
Unit  10:  Redox Chemistry
  1. Be able to define and explain: combustion, galvanizing, anode, cathode, electrolysis, redox, oxidation state, activity series, oxidizing agent, reducing agent, anion, cation and electroplating.
  2. List the three definitions of oxidation and reduction.
  3. Given a chemical equation, identify oxidized substance, reduced substance, oxidizing agent, and reducing agent.
  4. Know that the activity series is used to predict whether one substance will react with a second in a redox reaction.
  5. Quiz questions and problem assignments.
  6. Know the difference between throw-away and rechargeable batteries.
  7. Know some of the properties of O and H (review).
  8. Be able to diagram a battery (essential components, where oxidation occurs, etc.).
  9. Know some uses of electrochemical reactions.
  10. Be able to determine the oxidation state of an atom.
Unit  11:  Organic Chemistry and Fuels
  1. Be able to define and explain: hydrocarbon, alkane, functional group, isomer, double and triple bond, benzene, primary, secondary and tertiary carbon, fuel, bond energy, alkyl group and fractional distillation.
  2. Be able to name simple hydrocarbon molecules.
  3. Be able to pick out and name functional groups in a molecule.
  4. Be able to list and explain the properties of hydrocarbons.
  5. Know the general formula for alkanes, alkenes and alkynes.
  6. Be able to compare the structure and properties of alcohols and ethers with alkanes.
  7. Know that petroleum fuels are composed of many molecules that are separated by size for different purposes.
Please send your comments and suggestions to: twiese@fhsu.edu
Last Modified September 5, 2005