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

Fundamental Chemical Principles

Reactivity Trends in Groups I and VII

• Group I (Alkali Metals): Reactivity increases down the group.
  • Their atoms lose their outer electron to achieve a stable electron shell.
  • As the number of electron shells increases, the outer electron is further from the positive nucleus, making it easier to lose.
• Group VII (Halogens): Reactivity decreases down the group.
  • Their atoms gain or share an electron to achieve a stable electron shell.
  • The positive nucleus of the atom attracts the extra electron.
  • As the number of electron shells increases, the outer shell is further from the nucleus, making it more difficult to attract an electron.

Common Ores and Alloys

• Iron Ore: Hematite
• Aluminum Ore: Bauxite
• Sodium Ore: Rock Salt
• Lead Ore: Galena
• Zinc

Nuclear Energy Fundamentals

Defining Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy originates from the fission of atomic nuclei, which releases immense amounts of energy. This high energy yield allows for substantial power generation from a relatively small quantity of fuel. While often discussed in the context of energy independence, it's important to note that current nuclear power relies on finite resources like uranium.

The Fission Process: How Electricity is Generated

The nuclear energy process can be categorized into two primary forms: fission and fusion. Currently, commercial nuclear energy generation relies solely on fission. Fusion, however, remains an experimental technology, as scientists have not yet found a sustainable way to moderate and contain... Continue reading "Nuclear Power Generation: Fission, Benefits, and Risks" »

Preliminary Test

Systematic Analysis for Anions

To separate crude oil into its fractions, we use fractional distillation. This process occurs in an oil refinery. The crude oil is heated to about 350 degrees Celsius in a column that gets cooler higher up. Each fraction will evaporate and rise up the column until it reaches a part that is cool enough to condense it. The liquid goes into its respective tube and is separated from the rest of the crude oil. The smallest alkanes, which have a lower boiling point, will rise to the top. The largest fraction, bitumen, never evaporates and falls as a liquid to the bottom.

Cracking

Crude oil contains a mix of alkanes. Shorter alkanes are the most useful as fuels. We can obtain more shorter alkanes by breaking down the larger ones. This process is called... Continue reading "Fractional Distillation and Cracking Polymers: Separating Crude Oil" »

Chemical Bonding in Dental Materials

Primary Bonds

Factors Influencing Material Properties:

1. Type of bond between atoms and molecules
2. Inter-atomic distance
3. Atomic packing

Matter: Any substance that has mass and occupies space.

Atom: The fundamental unit of matter, consisting of a central nucleus (protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons.

Types of Primary Bonds:

• Ionic Bond: Attraction between positive and negative ions. Characteristics: Strong, heat resistant, insulator, insoluble in organic solvents, basic bond in ceramics.
• Covalent Bond: Sharing of electrons between two atoms. Characteristics: Strong, insulator, water insoluble, basic bond in polymers.
• Metallic Bond: Attraction between positive atomic cores and free electrons. Characteristics: High

Electrical Conductivity in Solids

Metal atoms possess outer electrons that are not tied to any single atom. These free electrons can move freely within the metal's structure when an electric current is applied, making metals excellent conductors. In contrast, covalent or ionic solids lack such free electrons, preventing electron flow and making them non-conductors.

Electron Configuration Principles

Filling Electron Shells and Orbitals

To determine electron configuration, first fill all lower electron shells. Then, apply specific rules to place valence electrons into their proper shells. Hund's Rule is crucial: it states that electrons will singly occupy all orbitals within a subshell before any orbital is doubly occupied. The Pauli Exclusion Principle... Continue reading "Atomic Structure, Bonding, and Molecular Shapes Explained" »

Basic Definitions of Matter

• Mass: The amount of matter an object has.
• Volume: The amount of space a substance occupies.
• Density: The relation of the amount of mass in a given volume.
• Matter: Anything that has mass and volume.
• Inertia: The tendency of an object to resist a change in motion.
• Weight: The action of gravitational force on an object.

Units of Measurement

• Newtons (N): A unit of force.
• 1 N = 100 g
• 1 kg = 1000 g

Properties of Matter

Chemical Properties

• A material's property that becomes evident during or after a chemical reaction.
• Examples: Flammability, reaction with O₂ (oxygen).

Physical Properties

• Observed or measured without changing the composition of matter.
• Examples: State, density, solubility, malleability, shape.

Changes in Matter

Chemical

Classification of Crystalline Solids

In crystalline solids, the atoms, ions, or molecules are held together by various types of cohesive forces, which may be chemical bonds or intermolecular forces. Based on the nature of bonding between their constituent particles, crystalline solids are classified into distinct types.

Ionic Crystals

Ionic crystals are formed by the interaction of positive and negative ions. These ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction, also known as ionic bonds. Examples include NaCl, KNO₃, Na₂CO₃, and K₂Cr₂O₇.

Properties of Ionic Crystals

• They occur in the solid state at room temperature.
• They have a distinct geometrical shape due to the close packing of cations and anions.
• They are very hard.
• They are

Understanding Metallic Bonds

A metallic bond is a type of chemical bond where the electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions (kernels) and delocalized electrons holds the metal ions in their respective positions. In metal atoms, the valence electrons are loosely bound and are free to move from one atom to another within the metallic crystal lattice. These free electrons, also known as conduction electrons or delocalized electrons, are uniformly distributed throughout the metal lattice.

When metal atoms lose these conduction electrons, they become positive ions, or kernels (atoms without their valence electrons). The electrostatic (or coulombic) interaction that develops between these positive kernels and the sea of negative electrons... Continue reading "Metallic Bonds and Molecular Crystals: Properties & Types" »