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

Understanding Key Organic Functional Groups

Phenols: Structure and Naming

Phenols are aromatic derivatives characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group directly attached to an aromatic ring. They exhibit acidic properties and can form metal salts.

These compounds are widely distributed in natural products, such as tannins.

Naming Conventions for Phenols

Phenols are named similarly to alcohols, with the suffix "-ol" appended to the name of the parent hydrocarbon when the -OH group is the principal functional group. For example, benzene with an -OH group is named phenol.

When the -OH group is not the principal functional group, the prefix "hydroxy-" is used, followed by the name of the hydrocarbon.

If the benzene ring has several substituents... Continue reading "Essential Organic Functional Groups: Phenols, Aldehydes, Ethers, Ketones" »

Energy Transformation and Forms

1. Energy a body possesses due to its motion: Kinetic Energy.
2. Energy stored in substances like food, gasoline, and other fuels: Chemical Energy.
3. Energy of position or state (often associated with bodies at rest): Potential Energy.
4. Potential energy is energy that manifests movement through transformation (e.g., falling objects).
5. A primary source of energy (often confused with mechanical energy): Light Energy (Electromagnetic Radiation).
6. This type of energy is used to operate engine heaters: Thermal Energy (Heat).
7. A powerful energy source released from atomic nuclei: Nuclear Energy. (Note: Photosynthesis is a process, not a form of energy transformation into nuclear energy).
8. Processing of oil, gas, or wood by combustion manifests

Introduction to Materials Science

Materials Science is an extensive discipline that relates the structure, properties, and application of engineering materials.

What are Engineering Materials?

Engineering materials are defined as those materials that, due to their desirable properties, can be used in machinery parts, structural elements, or for other engineering purposes. These materials can be structurally crystalline or amorphous and include:

• Metals
• Polymers
• Ceramics
• Composites (composed of two or more different materials from the families above)

Types of Engineering Materials

Metallic Materials

Metallic materials are substances whose atoms are joined by metallic bonds. These unique chemical bonds permit some atomic mobility and complete mobility for... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering" »

Quantum Numbers

By solving the equations of quantum mechanics for an atom, quantum numbers appear as a mathematical consequence. These describe the behavior of electrons in the atom.

• The principal quantum number, n: Represents an energy level. It can assume any positive integer (1, 2, ...). The first level is the lowest energy, and subsequent levels, increasingly distant from the nucleus, have greater energies.
• The orbital angular momentum quantum number, l: Determines the orbital shape and energy within each level. It takes values between 0 and n-1 inclusive.
• The magnetic quantum number, m_l: Describes the orientation of the orbital in space. Among other things, it explains the splitting of spectral lines when an external magnetic field is applied.

What is a Mixture?

A mixture is a substance formed by combining two or more substances without a chemical reaction occurring that changes its components.

• A homogeneous mixture is one in which no substance loses its original properties and can be separated by physical means. It has a uniform composition throughout.
• A heterogeneous mixture is one that has a non-uniform composition in which components can be distinguished by the naked eye and consists of two or more physically distinct substances, unevenly distributed.

Physical Separation Techniques

Distillation

Distillation is used to separate two liquids with different boiling points by heating and subsequent condensation of the substances. The distillation process consists of two phases: first, the... Continue reading "Understanding Mixtures and Separation Techniques" »

Classification of Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures

Pure Substances

Substances that are formed by the same kind of particles (molecules, atoms, etc.).

• Elements: Formed by the same kind of atom. They cannot be divided by chemical means. Examples: Phosphorus (P), Oxygen (O), Carbon (C).
• Compounds: Formed by the same kind of molecules. They can be divided chemically. Examples: Water (H₂O), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).

Mixtures

Substances that are formed by different kinds of particles.

• Homogeneous (Solutions): The different components cannot be visually distinguished. Example: Seawater.
• Heterogeneous: The different components can be visually distinguished. Example: Granite.

1. Defining the Atom

The atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element that retains... Continue reading "Atomic Theory and Matter Classification: Core Chemistry Concepts" »

Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Energy is essential for all biological processes. All atoms contain energy, and they are joined together by chemical bonds, which are crucial for life. We obtain our energy from food, converting it into chemical energy that can be stored and utilized, as opposed to other forms of energy like light and heat that cannot be retained.

Thermodynamics Principles

• First Law: Energy is neither created nor destroyed; it is only transformed from one form to another.
• Second Law: In every energy transmission, some energy is lost, typically as heat, leading to an increase in entropy.

Atomic Structure

The basic units of matter are atoms, composed of three fundamental subatomic particles: neutrons (neutral charge), protons (positive... Continue reading "Biochemical Foundations: Energy, Atoms, and Chemical Bonds" »

The Green Revolution

The Green Revolution refers to the significant increase in agricultural productivity achieved through the use of DDT and other pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanization.

Overfishing

Overfishing occurs when tons of fish are caught, and fish populations are unable to reproduce quickly enough to compensate.

Sustainable Forestry in Finland

Finland has developed a science and practice of forest conservation and exploitation.

Excessive CO2 Consumption

Excessive consumption of CO2 has led to imbalances, and the effects of these imbalances are well-known. The extremely rapid increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration is often called the "hockey stick" due to its shape. This increase is primarily caused by the use of fossil... Continue reading "Environmental Impacts and Sustainable Energy Sources" »

Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

Hydrocarbons

Alkanes

These are saturated hydrocarbons with single carbon-carbon bonds.

• General Formula: CnH2n+2
• Suffix: -ane
• Prefixes by Carbon Count:
  • 1C: meth-
  • 2C: eth-
  • 3C: prop-
  • 4C: but-
  • 5C: pent-
  • 6C: hex-

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C).

• General Formula: CnH2n
• Suffix: -ene
• Prefixes by Carbon Count:
  • 2C: eth-
  • 3C: prop-
  • 4C: but-
  • 5C: pent-
  • 6C: hex-

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond.

• General Formula: CnH2n-2
• Suffix: -yne
• Prefixes by Carbon Count:
  • 2C: eth-
  • 3C: prop-
  • 4C: but-
  • 5C: pent-
  • 6C: hex-

Common Functional Groups

• Carboxylic Acids: Suffix is -anoic acid.
• Aldehydes: Suffix is -anal.
• Ketones: General structure R-CO-R', where R can be a hydrogen

Principal Components of Iron-Carbon Alloys

The main components of iron-carbon alloys include:

• Perlite: Thin films formed with ferrite (light gray) and cementite (dark gray). Carbon content is 0.89%. Ferrite is softer, while cementite is harder.
• Ferrite: Almost pure iron, very soft, ductile, and magnetic. Its structure is cubic.
• Cementite: Located on the right side of the eutectoid point due to its carbon composition (Fe3C). It is the hardest and most fragile constituent of steel.
• Austenite
• Martensite
• Ledeburite: Consisting of cementite and austenite.

Thermal Treatments for Steel

Thermal treatments modify the properties of steel:

• Tempering: Increases hardness, toughness, and yield strength, but also increases fragility. Methods include immersion in water,