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

Kinetic Energy and the Nature of Matter

• Kinetic Energy: The energy an object possesses due to its motion.
• Kinetic Theory: States that all matter is composed of tiny particles in constant motion.

Pressure and Its Measurement

• Gas Pressure: Results from the force exerted by a gas per unit surface area of an object.
• Vacuum: An empty space devoid of particles and pressure.
• Atmospheric Pressure: Arises from the collisions of atoms and molecules in the air with objects.
• Barometer: A device used to measure atmospheric pressure.
• Pascal (Pa): The SI unit of pressure.
• Standard Atmosphere (atm): The pressure required to support 760 mm of mercury in a mercury barometer at 25ºC.

Phase Transitions and States of Matter

• Vaporization: The conversion of a liquid to a gas

Impact of Minimum CD & Treasury Bond Investment

Question: If the amount invested in CDs and treasury bonds is at least $5,000 plus 1.2 times the amount invested in municipal bonds and growth stocks, what is the new optimal solution and Optimal Feasible Value (OFV)?

Answer: Since the allowable increase is greater than $5,000 and this is a binding constraint, you must re-solve the problem to obtain the new optimal solution. The new OFV can be estimated using the shadow price: New OFV ≈ Old OFV + 5000 * (-0.0295).

Adding a GIC Investment Alternative

Question: If there is another investment alternative in Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) with a Return on Investment (ROI) of 10%, what is the new optimal solution and OFV?

Answer: Introducing... Continue reading "Investment Portfolio Optimization: Sensitivity Analysis" »

Fundamental Science Concepts

1. Key Definitions in Chemistry and Physics

Match the word with its definition:

• Chemical Reaction: A process in which one or more substances (the reactants) are converted to one or more different substances (the products).
• Enzyme: Any of various proteins, originating from living cells, capable of producing chemical changes in organic substances.
• Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
• Viscosity: The state of being thick, sticky, and semifluid in consistency, due to internal friction.

2. Common Chemical Formulas

Write the chemical formula for the following substances:

• Water: H₂O
• Oxygen: O₂
• Hydrogen Peroxide: H₂O₂

3. Main Shapes of Bacteria

Identify... Continue reading "Essential Science Knowledge: Biology & Chemistry" »

Quantum Mechanical Rules for Electron Configuration

The Aufbau Principle

Electrons will fill the lowest available energy level first.

The Pauli Exclusion Principle

Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, and they must have opposite spins.

Hund’s Rule (Rule of Maximum Multiplicity)

Orbitals of equal energy (degenerate orbitals) will fill with one electron at a time before pairing up. Single electrons in these orbitals should have the same spin.

Foundational Discoveries in Atomic Theory

Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment

This experiment demonstrated that atoms possess a positively charged nucleus orbited by electrons. Very few positively charged alpha particles were greatly deflected back from the metal foil, indicating a small, dense, positive... Continue reading "Fundamental Principles of Atomic Structure and Quantum Rules" »

Mineral Definition and Fundamental Properties

Minerals are defined as: naturally occurring, inorganic, solids with a definite chemical composition, a regular crystalline structure, and specific and consistent physical properties. The fundamental aspects of this definition are a mineral's chemical composition, crystalline structure, and physical properties.

Different chemical compositions result in different minerals. A good example is the mineral plagioclase. Plagioclase is a member of the feldspar group, but there is more than one type. For instance, albite and anorthite are two examples. Albite has a chemical composition of NaAlSi₃O₈, while anorthite's chemical composition is CaAl₂Si₂O₈. Though very similar, their distinct compositions define... Continue reading "Mineral Identification: Properties and Structure" »

The Sun: Structure and Activity

Galileo's Solar Observations

Galileo Galilei was among the first scientists to study the Sun in detail (circa 1610).

Sun's Chemical Makeup

The Sun's composition is primarily Helium & Hydrogen.

Inside the Sun

Solar Atmosphere Layers

• Photosphere
• Chromosphere
• Corona

Solar Interior Zones

• Core
• Radiative Zone
• Convective Zone

How the Sun Produces Energy

Solar energy is produced by nuclear fusion in the core region, converting hydrogen into helium. This process is the source of the Sun's energy.

The energy output is approximately 9 × 10¹⁰ megatons of TNT per second.

Understanding Solar Wind

Solar Wind is solar material flowing into interplanetary space. The Sun's atmosphere is expanding radially outwards in all directions. Solar... Continue reading "Science Essentials: Sun, Matter, Physics" »

How Solutions are Formed

The particles that make up a solution are in constant movement: they move faster as they go from solid state to liquid state. This happens until we obtain a homogeneous system where all its parts have the same properties. This movement is responsible for them mixing together.

Types of Solutions

Gaseous Solutions

The most important is air.

Liquid Solutions

The most important liquid solutions are those that involve water. When the forces with which the water molecules attract the molecules of the solid are greater than the forces acting between them, the particles separate and form the solution.

Solid Solutions

Alloys are mixtures of metals obtained by mixing together the melted components.

Diluted Solution: Amount of solute small... Continue reading "Formation of Solutions: Types and Properties" »

The Scientific Method and Metric Measurements

1.Know and understand The steps in the scientific method.

Making observations

Asking questions

Proposing answers

Testing the hypothesis

Accepting or rejecting the hypothesis

Repeating the test

2.Understand what is Meant by a controlled experiment.

3.What is the Difference between a control group and an experimental group?

Control group- Never changes

Experimental groups- Dependent and independent Variables

4.Know the metric units Of measurement and how to convert from one unit to another.

10^3 kilo, 10^0 unit, 10^-1 deci, 10^-2 Centri, 10^-3 Mili, 10^-6 Micro, 10^-9 Nano

5.What do the following Instruments measure: pipette-volume, Metric ruler length, beaker- volume, triple beam balance- mass, graduated cylinder-... Continue reading "Essential Lab Skills: Scientific Method, Metrics, and Microscopy" »

Unit 1: Matter and Mixtures

Mixtures are combinations of two or more substances that are not chemically combined. They keep their physical properties and can be separated by physical means.

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixtures

• Homogeneous Mixtures: These are uniform throughout. Components cannot be seen, and they cannot be filtered.
  • Solutions: Evenly distributed liquids that do not filter; substances are dissolved (e.g., salt and water).
  • Alloys: Two or more elements where at least one is a metal; these can be separated but not by simple physical means.
  • Colloids: These can be separated (e.g., mayonnaise or gelatin).
• Heterogeneous Mixtures: These are non-uniform. Components can be seen.
  • Suspensions: These can be filtered as large particles are visible