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

Understanding Hard Water

Older generations coined the phrase "hard water" because its mineral content makes cleaning more difficult. This difficulty is primarily due to dissolved compounds containing calcium and magnesium. Freshwater sources naturally contain varying quantities of these minerals.

As water travels, it dissolves, suspends, or exchanges compounds and trace elements from the materials it contacts. For example, flowing through limestone increases water hardness, while contact with peat can soften it.

Total Water Hardness

Total water hardness measures the combined concentration of calcium and magnesium, the two most common divalent metal ions. However, in some geographic locations, iron, aluminum, and manganese may also be present at... Continue reading "Hard Water Explained: Causes, Types, and Classification" »

Types of Solid Solutions

Metal alloys are solid solutions between two or more elements. Depending on the arrangement of solvent and solute atoms, there are two types:

• Substitution Solid Solutions: Solvent and solute atoms have similar crystalline structures. Solute atoms replace solvent atoms within the crystal lattice.
• Interstitial Solid Solutions: Occur when solute atoms are very small compared to solvent atoms and are placed within the crystal lattice.

Constitution of Fe-C Alloys

Fe-C alloys are composed of constituents whose nature varies with chemical composition and temperature. The most representative constituents are:

• Ferrite: A solid solution of carbon in alpha iron.
• Cementite: The hardest and most brittle constituent of steel.
• Pearlite: A

Classification of Hairstyles

• Curling: Gives hair a ring-shaped design, loops, or corkscrews, adding volume.
• Waving (Inverter): Creates S-shaped waves in the hair, an intermediate effect between straightening and curling.
• Straightening (Smooth): Gives hair a smooth appearance by eliminating waves or curls.
• Updo (Collect): Involves arranging the hair in a specific way. Updos can be total or partial.

Hairstyle Change Duration

• Temporary: A change of form that produces a modification of the hair structure that lasts for a limited time (days, weeks).
• Permanent: A change in form that produces a structural modification that persists despite washing, brushing, coloring, shampooing, etc.

Temporary Changes

Temporary changes in hair shape primarily occur due to... Continue reading "Hairstyle Types: Curling, Waving, Straightening & More" »

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

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.

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

Introduction to Chemical Bonding

Chemical bonding is the force that binds atoms, ions, or molecules together to form various substances. When two molecules are linked by intermolecular forces, these are also considered types of attractive forces.

The coordination number refers to the number of ions surrounding a central ion in a crystal lattice.

Types of Chemical Bonds

Ionic Bonds

Ionic bonds result from the electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). Each positive ion is typically surrounded by the largest possible number of negative ions, and vice versa, forming a crystal lattice.

Lattice Energy

Lattice energy (E_lattice) is the energy released when one mole of a solid ionic compound is... Continue reading "Chemical Bonding Fundamentals and Material Characteristics" »

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)