AP Biology : Understand basic chemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #23 : Naming Compounds

What is the name for the following compound: ?

Possible Answers:

Iron nitrate

Iron(II) nitrite

Iron(I) nitrite

Iron(I) nitrate

Iron(II) nitrate

Correct answer:

Iron(II) nitrate

Explanation:

This is an ionic compound because there is a metal (iron) bound to a nonmetal (the polyatomic ion nitrate). Iron,  is a transition metal, which means it can take on multiple different charges. To find the charge of iron in this compound we must not that the compound as a whole is neutral. Also we must know the charge on the nitrate ion, , is negative one. To balance the two nitrate ions with one iron atom, the iron must carry a positive two charge. In naming ionic compounds with transition metals, we must use Roman numerals to indicate the charge on the metal. Thus the name of this compound is iron(II) nitrate.

Example Question #71 : Elements And Compounds

Choose the correct chemical formula for lead (II) chloride.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is the correct answer because it takes two chloride ions to balance the positive two charge on the lead atom. lead (II) refers to the ion of lead with a  charge instead of Lead (IV) which refers to the ion with a  charge. Note that roman numerals are used with elements that can form more than one cation (generally transition metals).

Example Question #1 : Help With Polyatomic Ions

Which of the following polyatomic ions has a net charge of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For this question, you need to have the charges of polyatomic ions memorized. This will tell you that of the answer choices only the carbonate ion has a net charge of .

Chlorate: 

Nitrite: 

Phosphate: 

Carbonate: 

Example Question #71 : Elements And Compounds

When the ionic compound  is put in water, it dissociates to produce which of the following ions?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 and  are known as polyatomic ions. When a compound made up of polyatomic ions ionizes in water, it separates into the original polyatomic ions, not the individual elements.

Example Question #72 : Elements And Compounds

What is the correct molecular formula for phosphoric acid?

Possible Answers:

None of the answer choices are correct

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Phosphoric acid combines a single phosphate ion with three hydrogen ions. The correct molecular formula is .

Example Question #1 : Help With Molecular Formulas

Choose the correct chemical formula for sodium sulfate.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Sulfate is a polyatomic ion that is composed of one sulfur atom and four oxygen atoms. The ion has a net charge of .

Since sodium ions have a charge of , we must use two atoms of sodium in order to result in a neutrally charged compound.

This makes the neutral chemical compound .

Example Question #26 : Compounds And Bonding

An unknown compound has the following composition:

40% carbon

6.7% hydrogen

53.3% oxygen

If the molecular formula for this compound is six times as heavy as the empirical formula, what is the molecular formula for the compound?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since we know the percentages by mass, we can convert them into grams by imagining a 100-gram sample of the mystery compound. At that point, we can determine how many moles are present for each element:

By dividing each molar amount by the smallest molar amount (in this case 3.33), we can find the elemental ratios.

This means that the empirical formula for this compound is .

Since we were told that the molecular formula is six times as heavy as the empirical formula, we need to multiply each elemental amount in the empirical formula by six. After doing this, we find that the molecular formula is .

Example Question #73 : Elements And Compounds

What specific functional group is created when a carbon atom forms a double bond with an oxygen atom and a single bond with an -OH group?

Possible Answers:

Ether

Ester

Carbonyl group

Carboxyl group

alcohol

Correct answer:

Carboxyl group

Explanation:

Carboxylic acids are formed by a carbon atom with a double bond to an oxygen atom, as well as an -oh substituent. This leaves one remaining bond for the carbon atom, allowing it to bind to a larger molecular component. The name for a carboxylic acid bound to a larger molecule is a "carboxyl group."

Carbonyl groups are formed when a carbon atom forms a doubl bond with an oxygen atom and any two other substituents. Carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and amides are all carbonyl functional groups.

An ester is formed when a carbon forms a double bond with an oxygen and a single bond with a second oxygen atom. The second oxygen is generally incorporated into the backbone structure of the molecule, rather than as a single substituent to the carbon.

An ether is formed by an oxygen atom bound to two other atoms (usually carbons).

Example Question #1 : Help With Molecular Formulas

Which of the following options contains only compounds with covalent bonds?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Ionic bonds generally occur between metal and nonmetal ions, while covalent bonds usually occur between two nonmetal atoms. The compounds containing sodium, iron, silver, calcium, and rubidium will all contain ionic bonds involving these elements.

The answer  is the only answer without any metal atoms, indicating that the bonds in these molecules will be covalent.

Example Question #2 : Help With Molecular Formulas

Which of these molecules will not demonstrate hydrogen bonding?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Hydrogen bonds are present in molecules in which hydrogen atoms are bound to highly electronegative atoms, namely oxygen, fluorine, or nitrogen. These bonds are extremely polar, resulting in a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the more electronegative atom.

Of the given answer options, methane (), is the only one that does not involve a hydrogen atom bound to an oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. It cannot demonstrate hydrogen bonding.

Note that glucose (), as well as most other sugars, contain aldehyde or hydroxyl groups. These consist of -OH bonds, which allow for hydrogen bonding.

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