Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Chemistry

Solid State Material Classification

Three types of solids are classified according to their atomic arrangement:

• Crystalline Materials: Atoms are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating pattern.
• Amorphous Materials: Atoms lack a long-range ordered structure.
• Polycrystalline Materials: Composed of many small, randomly oriented single-crystalline regions.

Microscopic views illustrate crystalline and amorphous materials, while polycrystalline structures are shown through a more macroscopic view of adjacent single-crystalline regions.

Diamond Structure Discovery and Bragg Diffraction

The discovery of the diamond structure is closely linked to Bragg diffraction. This phenomenon occurs when two beams with identical wavelength and phase approach a crystalline... Continue reading "Solid State Materials: Structure, Properties, and Fabrication" »

Electronegativity

Measure of the tendency of an atom to attract bonding pair of electrons.

Cation

Ion that has a positive charge.

Ionic Bond

Chemical bond formed between two ions with opposite charge.

Anion

Ion that has a negative charge.

Chemical Bond

Electrical attraction between nuclei and valence electrons that binds atoms together.

Covalent Bond

Bond formed when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

Non Polar Bond

Type of chemical bond where two atoms share a pair of electrons with each other.

Polar

Uneven distribution of charge.

Polar Bond

Type of chemical bond where a pair of electrons is unequally shared between two atoms.

Molecule

Neutral group of atoms that are held together by covalent bonds.

Molecular Compound

Chemical compound whose simplest... Continue reading "Chemical Bonding and Organic Chemistry" »

Properties of Metals:

Shiny, lustrous, can be polished, strong, and solid.

Nonmetals:

Dull, not lustrous, cannot be polished, weak, half are gases.

18 Families or Groups, 18 Periods:

Elements in the same group have common characteristics. Horizontal is period, vertical is family or group.

Periodic Law:

The PT is organized by atomic number Z. Elements with similar properties are in the same family.

Properties of Metalloids:

Have characteristics of metals and nonmetals. Located between metals and nonmetals.

Johann Dobereiner (1829):

Classified elements into groups of three, called triads.

John Newlands (1838-1898):

Law of Octaves (1863) suggested arranging elements in octaves.

Dmitri Mendeleev (1834-1907):

Published a table of elements organized by increasing... Continue reading "Evolution of the Periodic Table: From Triads to Actinides" »

Thermal Energy and Particle Motion

Thermal energy is intrinsically linked to temperature, which reflects the movement of particles within matter. This concept is a cornerstone of the Kinetic Theory of Matter, stating that all matter is composed of tiny particles in constant, random motion.

Changes in Matter: Physical vs. Chemical

When we observe the world around us, we identify two distinct types of transformations that matter undergoes:

Physical Changes

A physical change is a process where the fundamental nature or chemical composition of a substance remains unaltered. The original substance does not transform into a new, chemically different substance. Examples include:

• Changes of State: Such as ice melting into water, or water boiling into steam.

Mixtures and Compounds

A mixture is a material system made up of two or more different substances which are mixed but not combined chemically.

Types of Mixtures

• Heterogeneous: The components are visibly diverse.
• Homogeneous: The components are uniformly distributed, appearing as a single substance.

Basic Chemical Concepts

• Phase: A physically distinct form of matter, such as a solid, liquid, or gas.
• Element: A substance that is made up of only one type of atom.

Changes of State

• Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid melts. The particles gain energy, vibrate faster, and eventually move around, becoming a liquid.
• Boiling Point: The temperature at which a liquid boils. The particles gain energy, move faster, break free, and become a gas.

Tests for

Understanding Temperature

What is Temperature?

Temperature is the measurement of a substance's thermal energy.

Measuring Temperature

Mercury Thermometer

A mercury thermometer consists of a bulb containing liquid mercury and a thin tube. The liquid expands due to thermal expansion and rises up the tube, allowing the temperature to be read on a calibrated scale.

Digital Thermometer

A digital thermometer uses a microprocessor that measures the temperature and displays it on a liquid crystal display (LCD).

Temperature Scales

Common temperature scales include Celsius (ºC) and Kelvin (ºK).

• Celsius to Kelvin: K = C + 273.15
• Kelvin to Celsius: C = K - 273.15

Heat Transfer Mechanisms

Conduction

Conduction is the transfer of heat energy primarily from solid to solid... Continue reading "Science Essentials: Temperature, Heat, Reactions, Environment" »

An Arrhenius acid is a substance that dissociates in water to form hydrogen ions or protons. In other words, it increases the number of H⁺ ions in the water. In contrast, an Arrhenius base dissociates in water to form hydroxide ions, OH^-.

A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a solution that donates protons and is known as a proton donor. The Bronsted-Lowry base, on the other hand, is a solution that accepts protons and is known as a proton acceptor. Going back to a Bronsted-Lowry acid, in general, it must contain a hydrogen ion that it can give up.

Defining Matter

Matter is defined as anything that has mass and takes up space.

Pure Substances

Pure substances possess constant physical properties (e.g., odor, hardness, density, boiling points). They can be classified as either elements or compounds.

Elements

Elements consist of only one kind of atom and cannot be broken down into a simpler type of matter by either physical or chemical means. Elements are found in the periodic table and are categorized as:

• Metals: Tend to lose electrons, resulting in a positive charge (cations).
• Nonmetals: Tend to gain electrons, resulting in a negative charge (anions).
• Metalloids.

Compounds

Compounds are formed when atoms of two or more different elements are chemically bound together. They can be broken down into... Continue reading "Classification of Matter: Elements, Compounds, and Separation Techniques" »

Biotic and Abiotic Factors in an Ecosystem

• Chemistry: The study of matter.
• Matter: Any substance that has mass and takes up space.
• Energy: The capacity of a physical system to do work.
• Ecosystem: All of the living things in a given area.
• Biotic: Living organisms (e.g., flowers, plants, bacteria).
• Abiotic: Non-living organisms (e.g., water, soil, air, light, wind).

States of Matter

• Solids: More dense, particles are very close, molecules only vibrate, cannot flow, defined shape, defined volume, not compressible.
• Liquids: Dense, particles are close, molecules have random flow, can flow, adaptable shape, defined volume, very little compressible.
• Gas: Less dense, particles are separated, molecules have a random, fast, and free movement, can flow, no shape,