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

Matter and Material Systems

Matter and Its Appearance.

Heterogeneous Material Systems

Heterogeneous material systems are those that have different properties in different parts of the system. Distinct parts can be distinguished either by the naked eye or microscopically.

Separating Heterogeneous Mixtures

A heterogeneous material system formed by various substances is called a heterogeneous mixture. To separate heterogeneous mixtures, various techniques are used:

• Components with Different States of Aggregation

  To separate heterogeneous mixtures where, for example, one component is a solid and the other a liquid, filtration can be used.

• Components with Different Density

  In this case, techniques such as sedimentation, decantation, or centrifugation are

... Continue reading "Understanding Matter: Systems, Mixtures, Solutions" »

Bohr's Atomic Model

Rutherford's atomic model was incomplete and unstable. The Danish physicist Bohr proposed a new atomic model based on four postulates, among which was the continuity of orbits:

1. The atom consists of a nucleus with a positive charge and contains most of the mass of the atom, and a cortex in which the electrons are moving.
2. Electrons move in circular orbits around the nucleus.
3. Only orbits in which the electron's angular momentum is a multiple of Planck's constant are possible. In these orbits, the electron does not emit or absorb energy.
4. The step from one orbit to another involves the absorption or emission of radiation. The atom will absorb or emit only the radiation just enough to move from one orbit to another.

The Bohr model can... Continue reading "Bohr and Rutherford Atomic Models: Key Differences" »

Metals, Metalloids, and Non-metals

• Metals: Good conductors of electricity.
• Metalloids: Intermediate between metals and non-metals.
• Non-metals: Poor conductors of electricity.

Atomic Orbitals

The last significant electron shell fills with gas.

Examples of Orbitals

• S orbital
• P orbital
• D orbital
• F orbital

Orbital Shapes

• Orbital S: Spherically symmetric around the atomic nucleus.
• Orbital P: Two flattened areas at the point of contact, oriented according to the coordinate axes.
• Orbital D: Four lobes of alternating signs, with the last being a double lobe surrounded by a ring.
• Orbital F: More complex shapes.

Quantum Principles

1. Pauli Exclusion Principle: No two electrons can have the same quantum numbers.
2. Aufbau Principle: Electrons fill the lowest energy levels first.

... Continue reading "Atomic Structure: Metals, Metalloids, Orbitals, and Principles" »

Periodic Table Structure

What is the name and number of the columns in the periodic system of elements? They are called families or groups. There are 18 columns.

What is similar about elements in the same column? They have a similar electronic structure in their outermost shell.

What is the name and number of the horizontal rows in the periodic system of elements? They are called periods. There are 7 periods.

Explain what is similar about elements in the same row. They have the same number of electron shells.

Properties of Chemical Compounds

Characteristics of Ionic Compounds

• Very stable, requiring a lot of energy for the dissolution of their crystalline structure.
• Solid at room temperature.
• Do not conduct electricity in the solid state.
• Have high melting

... Continue reading "Chemical Bonds and Substance Properties" »

Defining Raya

Raya refers to the color of a mineral when it is pulverized into a fine powder.

Defining Brightness and Its Significance

Brightness

Brightness describes the general appearance of a mineral's cool surface when observed under reflected light. It is influenced by factors such as the refractive index, degree of transparency, and surface polish.

Types of Brightness

Metallic

Minerals with a metallic brightness exhibit a glow similar to polished metals and have a high refractive index.

Non-Metallic

Non-metallic minerals are typically light in color and have a low refractive index. They can be further classified as:

• Silky (resembling silk)
• Pearly (exhibiting a peel-like appearance)
• Earthy (scattering light completely)
• Greasy (having an oily appearance)

... Continue reading "Mineral Properties: Identification and Classification" »

Biophysics II

Colloids

Colloids are suspensions of very small particles (micelles), even much larger than the dispersed molecules within a liquid. They are also called pseudo-solutions or colloidal solutions.

State of Sol and Gel

Protoplasmic colloids undergo sol-gel processing, also called reversal or phase change. Colloids present an intermediate state between solid, liquid, and gas. States in the protoplasm of sol and gel usually alternate due to changes in concentration. The most important sols in biology are protein dispersions in water.

Types of Colloids According to the Physical State of the Phases

The dispersant phase can be a solid, liquid, or gas, just as the dispersed phase may be liquid, solid, or gaseous. The passage from a sol to a... Continue reading "Biophysics II: Colloids, Properties, and States" »

1. Decomposition Reactions

The scheme of a decomposition reaction is: A → B + C + ...

Decomposition reactions are those in which a substance is transformed into simpler ones due to an energy intake that can be performed in two ways:

• Thermal decomposition: Heat energy is supplied.

2Ag₂O → 4Ag + O₂

Electrolytic Decomposition: The energy provided is electric current.

CaCl₂ → Ca + Cl₂

2. Synthesis Reactions

The scheme of a synthesis reaction is: A + B + ... → C

These are reactions where two or more simple substances, elements, or compounds react to give a single compound.

3. Substitution Reactions

The scheme of a substitution reaction is: A + BC → AC + B

These are reactions in which an element of a reagent is replaced or exchanged for an element... Continue reading "Chemical Reactions: Types and Characteristics" »

Density of States

Density of states: Each value of K determines an orbital state of e-, double degeneracy due to spin. It is agreed that:

1. The electronic states always include spin degeneracy.
2. When an electron current is assumed, the electron charge of each spin is always included.
3. Electron density N is defined as the total number of electrons per unit volume.

Now the following is discussed:

1. E is a quantized continuous distribution of values, as the quantized E is increased by small integer steps of K, leading to small ΔE of the order of h².
2. Given the continuous distribution of E, the probability of a particular value of E must be zero.
3. We define the density of states n(E), which is the density of energy electrons in the range around energy E per unit

... Continue reading "Understanding Density of States, Bloch Function, and Fermi Energy" »

Chemical Bonding and Intermolecular Forces

Polarity

When two atoms with different electronegativities bond, the electrons in the bond are drawn closer to the more electronegative atom. This creates a negative charge density around that atom, which in turn causes the other atom to exhibit a positive charge density. This forms a dipole, and the bond is called polar or heteropolar.

Metallic Bonding

Various theories explain metallic bonding. The most consistent and widely accepted theory suggests that metallic bonding results from the strong attraction between a delocalized "sea" of electrons and the positively charged nuclei of the metal atoms. This explains the characteristic properties of metals, such as hardness, toughness, and malleability.

Hydrogen

... Continue reading "Understanding Chemical Bonds, Reactions, and Forces" »

Atomic Structure and Properties

Atomic Models

The concept of matter, initially considered indivisible according to Dalton, is presented with a discontinuous structure based on cathode rays (Thomson) and canal rays (Goldstein).

Rutherford considered the atom to consist of a small, hard core containing protons and neutrons, with electrons rotating around this core.

Bohr proposed that electrons in the atom are located in specific energy levels and sublevels, representing the distribution of electrons around the nucleus.

Key Atomic Definitions

Atomic Number (Z)

Atomic number (Z): Z = Number of Protons = Number of Electrons (in a neutral atom).

Mass Number (A)

Mass number (A): A = Number of Protons + Number of Neutrons.

Isotopes

Isotopes: Atoms of the same... Continue reading "Fundamental Chemistry Principles" »