GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : GRE Subject Test: Chemistry

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analyzing Solids

Write the  expression for the following equilibria:

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The solubility product constant () is an expression that describes the extent to which a compound is soluble in an aqueous solution. It describes the equilibrium between a solid and its constituent ions in a solution.The equilibrium between undissolved  and its ions dissolved in solution is:

The equilibrium constant for  can be written as:

The denominator represents solid barium sulfate which is considered a constant. When the equation is rearranged, it becomes:

The product, , can be considered a constant expression called the solubility product constant () and the equation can be written in the form:

Example Question #2 : Analyzing Solids

Considering that  for the equilibrium reaction:

 

What would be the  concentration for a solution buffered at a pH of 8.5?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The pH of the solution is , therefore the pOH would be  considering the relationship:

 

Therefore  based on the equation 

The solubility product expression for  is :

By inserting the knowns in to the expression, gives:

Rearrange this equation

Example Question #2 : Analyzing Solids

The Ksp of  is . What is the molar solubility of  in water?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the dissolution of  in water is below:

The Ksp for the above equation is:

Due to the solubility of  of in water, the concentration of  and - should be equal:

Plug  into the Ksp equation:

Therefore:

The solubility of  in water is 

Example Question #311 : Gre Subject Test: Chemistry

The Ksp of  is . What is the molar solubility of  in water?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the dissolution of  in water is below:

The Ksp for the above equation is:

Due to the solubility of  of in water, the concentration of  and  should be equal:

Plugging X into the Ksp equation gives:

Therefore: 

The solubility of CuBr in water is 

Example Question #2 : Solubility And Precipitation

Which salt is insoluble in water?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Solubility rules must be followed for substances in aqueous media. Below are some of the solubility rules and they must be followed in the order given. For example, rule 1 should have precedence over rule 2.

1. All alkali metal  and  compounds are soluble.

2. Nitrate , perchlorate , chlorate, , and acetate  salts are soluble.

3. Silver, lead, and mercury salts are insoluble.

Thus, we see that silver chloride is insoluble due to rule 3.

Example Question #2 : Solubility And Precipitation

The  of  is . What is the molar solubility of  in water? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the dissolution of  in water is: 

The  for the above equation is:

Due to the molar ratios of the species of , the concentration of  and  should be equal when dissolved:

Plugging  into the  equation gives:

Therefore, the solubility of   in water is 

Example Question #3 : Solubility And Precipitation

Calculate the molar solubility of  with  if enough  is added to raise the pH of the solution to pH 12.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the dissolution of  in water is: 

The  for the above equation is:

Due to the solubility of  in water, the concentration of  can be set to:

Therefore the concentration of  should be double that of :

The solution was adjusted to pH 12 using , therefore:

Using an ICE table to process the data:

Screen shot 2015 11 13 at 4.39.13 pm

Plugging these variables into the  equation gives:

Therefore, the  equation can be approximated to:

Therefore, the solubility of  in water is .

Example Question #51 : Analytical Chemistry

 has a  equal to . What would be the numerical expression used to determine the molar solubility (S) of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the dissolution of  in water is below: 

The Ksp expression for the above chemical equation is: 

Rearranging this equation to solve for solubility (S) gives:

Plugging the value for Ksp into the equation gives:

Example Question #11 : Solubility And Precipitation

Calculate the molar solubility of  with a  if enough  is added to raise the pH of the solution to pH 10.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the dissolution of  in water is below: 

The  for the above equation is:

Due to the solubility of  in water, the concentration of  can be set to:

Therefore the concentration of  should be double that of :

The solution was adjusted to pH 10 using , therefore:

Using an ICE table to process the data:

Screen shot 2015 11 13 at 4.35.54 pm

Plugging  into the  equation gives:

Therefore, the  equation can be approximated to:

Therefore, the solubility of   in water is .

Example Question #52 : Analytical Chemistry

Calculate the molar solubility of  with  in a solution containing  .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation for the dissolution of  in water is below: 

The  for the above equation is:

Due to the solubility of  in water, the concentration of  can be set to be:

Therefore  concentration will be double:

Using an ICE table to process the data:

Screen shot 2015 11 09 at 9.29.39 pm

Plugging these variable into the  equation gives:

Therefore, the  equation can be approximated to:

Therefore, the solubility of   in water is .

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