1045 General Chemistry - Fall 2001, Prof. Gelb
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Chapter 3 Study Guide


Chapter 3 presents the standard methods for writing down and describing chemical reactions and experiments, and the most frequently used problem-solving techniques associated with them. In conjunction with Chapter 2, which laid out the fundamentals of atomic theory, molecules, etc., and Chapter 1, which showed us how to make quantitative statements about experiments and to do unit conversions, we are now in a good position to go on and look at different specific types of chemical reactions (starting with aqueous chemistry, Chapter 4) and physical changes (starting with the theory of gases, in Chapter 5.)

Suggested Problems

The following problems (in the textbook) are illustrative of the important concepts covered in this chapter, and are of comparable (or greater!) difficulty with what you might see on homeworks or exams: 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 39, 41, 53, 55-60, 63, 69, 73, 77, 83, 87, 89, 101, 109, 113, 116.

Important Topics and Concepts

  1. MOLES
    • Definition of the mole as an exact number
    • Avogadro's number; approximation to the mole
    • Moles link molecular and macroscopic scales!
    • Interchangeability of g/mol and u for atomic masses.
    • calculation of molar masses and formula masses.
  2. Mass Percent Composition
    • Definition
    • Conversion from chemical formula to Mass Percent Comp.
    • Conversion from Mass Percent Comp. to empirical formula.
    • Conversion from empirical formula to molecular formula if molecular mass is given.
    • How to do Combustion Analysis problems.
  3. Stoichiometry
    • Definition, plus how to spell "Stoichiometry"
    • Parts of a Chemical Equation
    • Interpretations of a chemical equation
    • How to balance a chemical equation
    • What's wrong with fractional coefficients?
    • Problem solving with balanced equations
    • Limiting vs. Excess Reactants
    • Definition of Yield
  4. Solutions
    • Definition of Molarity
    • How to calculate concentrations
    • How to calculate dilutions
  5. Solution stoichiometry
    • Mixing reactants by mixing solutions
    • Initial vs. final concentrations in reactions






Last modification: Mon Sep 17 14:58:23 2001
gelb@chem.fsu.edu