GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : Analyzing Reactions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Analytical Chemistry

What is the  of a 0.12M solution of  that has a pH of 5.1?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can calculate the hydrogen ion concentration by using the following equation:

Plug in the given value for pH and solve:

Example Question #291 : Gre Subject Test: Chemistry

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Based on the equilibrium above, what does  act as? 

Possible Answers:

an anion

a catalyst

an acid

a base

radical

Correct answer:

an acid

Explanation:

An acid is a substance that can donates a proton. The conjugate acid of a base is formed when the base accepts a proton. In this case,  is the conjugate acid to the base . This is because  accepts a hydrogen ion from the water molecule to form , the conjugate acid.

Example Question #32 : Analytical Chemistry

Given the following equilibria, what is the hydroxide ion concentration of a solution containing  ?

The  for  is 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Below is the acid-base equilibria of  in an aqueous solution:

A solution of ammonia () is basic based on the chemical equation given. The  for this reaction is:

Based on the chemical equation, 

We can make the concentration of these species equal to :

The  concentration is equal to:

 has a low  so we can assume the following:

Plugging the values into the base dissociation constant equation gives:

Solve for

Example Question #32 : Analytical Chemistry

Given the following equilibria, what is the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution containing   (benzoic acid)?

The  for  is .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Below is the acid-base equilibria of  in an aqueous solution:

A solution of benzoic acid () is acidic based on the chemical equation given. The  for this reaction is:

Based on the chemical equation, 

We can make the concentration of these species equal to :

The  concentration is equal to:

 has a low  so we can assume the following:

Plugging the values into the base dissociation constant equation gives:

Solve for

Example Question #292 : Gre Subject Test: Chemistry

Given the following equilibria, what is the hydronium ion concentration of a solution containing  ?

The  for  is .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Below is the acid-base equilibria of  in an aqueous solution:

A solution of  is acidic based on the chemical equation given. The Ka for this reaction is:

Based on the chemical equation, 

We can make the concentration of these species equal to :

The  concentration is equal to:

 has a low  so we can assume the following:

Plugging the values into the base dissociation constant equation gives:

Solve for

Example Question #1 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

Which molecule would be considered a Lewis acid?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A lewis acid is an electron pair acceptor.  would be considered a lewis acid based on the definition. Because  is electron-deficient based on its oxidation number, it is able to accept an electron pair.

Example Question #1 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

Which of the following would be considered a Lewis base?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A lewis base is an electron pair donor.  would be considered a lewis base based on the definition. Because  is electron rich based on its oxidation number, it is able to donate an electron pair to an electron deficient ion.

Example Question #2 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

Which of the following types of reactions best describes the following reaction:

Possible Answers:

Double replacement

Combustion

Redox reaction

Combination

Catalytic

Correct answer:

Redox reaction

Explanation:

A redox reaction is also known as an oxidation/reduction reaction. This type of reaction involves the transfer of electrons from on reactant to another. In this reaction, an electron is transferred from  to  forming the products  and . The substance that gains an electron is referred to as being reduced. The substance that loses an electron is referred to as being oxidized.

Example Question #4 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

What is the oxidation state of manganese in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In this compound oxygen has an oxidation number of . There are 4 oxygens, therefore the total oxidation number for the oxygens in  is: . Potassium,, is a group 1 metal and has an oxidation number of . The sum of all oxidation number in a neutral compound such as  is zero. We will give the oxidation number of  equal to :

Simplifying the above equation:

Rearranging to solve for :

Example Question #1 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

What is the oxidation state of manganese in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In this compound oxygen has an oxidation number of . There are 4 oxygens, therefore the total oxidation number for the oxygens in  is: . Potassium, , is a group 1 metal and has an oxidation number of . There are 3 potassium ions present in , therefore the total oxidation number for the potassium ions is:

.The sum of all oxidation number in a neutral compound such as  is zero. We will give the oxidation number of  equal to :

Simplifying the above equation:

Rearranging to solve for :

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