MCAT Physical : Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Other Concepts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Physical

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Reaction Kinetics

Carbonic anhydrase is an important enzyme that allows CO2 and H2O to be converted into H2CO3. In addition to allowing CO2 to be dissolved into the blood and transported to the lungs for exhalation, the products of the carbonic anhydrase reaction, H2CO3 and a related compound HCO3-, also serve to control the pH of the blood to prevent acidosis or alkalosis. The carbonic anhydrase reaction and acid-base reaction are presented below.

CO2 + H2O  H2CO3

 H2CO3  HCO3- + H+

If the reaction series presented above is occurring during alkalosis, H2CO3 may be considered a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

cannot be determined

enzyme

intermediate

hormone

Correct answer:

intermediate

Explanation:

First, we need to see what the information the question provides us, namely that the reaction is occurring during alkalosis. In alkalosis, we know that the H+ concentration is too low, thus the reaction must be favoring the products in order to reduce the effects of alkalosis (Le Chatlier’s Principle). The H+ is low on the products side, so the reaction shifts to the right. Next, we need to determine where in the reaction H2CO3 is and what is happening to it. We can see that H2CO3 is formed from CO2 and H2O, but then is used up to create HCO3- and H+. In the scenario of alkalosis, H2CO3 will be formed then used (the definition of an intermediate).

Example Question #1 : Energetics

For any given chemical reaction, one can draw an energy diagram. Energy diagrams depict the energy levels of the different steps in a reaction, while also indicating the net change in energy and giving clues to relative reaction rate. 

Below, a reaction diagram is shown for a reaction that a scientist is studying in a lab. A student began the reaction the evening before, but the scientist is unsure as to the type of the reaction. He cannot find the student’s notes, except for the reaction diagram below.

 

Untitled

Upon further review, the scientist realizes that the reaction in question involved formation of a carbocation that quickly reacted again to form stable products. At which point would we most likely find this carbocation in the above diagram?

Possible Answers:

5

3

1

2

4

Correct answer:

3

Explanation:

Point 3 is where you would expect to find a relatively stable intermediate. An intermediate is more stable than a transition state, but not as stable as the original reactants and final products. Stability is inversely proportional to energy, thus we are looking for the point that is between the highest and lowest energies in the reaction. By this logic, point 1 is the reactants, 2 and 4 are transition states, 3 is a stable intermediate, and 5 is the products.

Example Question #1 : Thermodynamics Of Phase Changes

A scientist prepares an experiment to demonstrate the second law of thermodynamics for a chemistry class. In order to conduct the experiment, the scientist brings the class outside in January and gathers a cup of water and a portable stove.

The temperature outside is –10 degrees Celsius. The scientist asks the students to consider the following when answering his questions:

Gibbs Free Energy Formula:

ΔG = ΔH – TΔS 

 

Liquid-Solid Water Phase Change Reaction:

H2O(l) ⇌ H2O(s) + X

The scientist prepares two scenarios. 

Scenario 1:

The scientist buries the cup of water outside in the snow, returns to the classroom with his class for one hour, and the class then checks on the cup. They find that the water has frozen in the cup.

Scenario 2: 

The scientist then places the frozen cup of water on the stove and starts the gas. The class finds that the water melts quickly.

After the water melts, the scientist asks the students to consider two hypothetical scenarios as a thought experiment. 

Scenario 3:

Once the liquid water at the end of scenario 2 melts completely, the scientist turns off the gas and monitors what happens to the water. Despite being in the cold air, the water never freezes.

Scenario 4:

The scientist takes the frozen water from the end of scenario 1, puts it on the active stove, and the water remains frozen.

Which of the following are possible quantities for the “X” present on the right side of the Liquid-Solid Water Phase Change Reaction?

I. Entropy

II. Heat

III. Water Vapor

Possible Answers:

I only

 

I and II

 

I, II, and III

 

I and III only

II only

Correct answer:

II only

Explanation:

As water freezes, it releases heat into the universe to balance the local loss of entropy encountered by ordering atoms into a rigid solid structure. Entropy, in contrast, is not a commodity that can be released by a reaction in the same way as heat. Also, water vapor would not be released on only one side of the equation. Water vapor would exist with in equilibrium with both solid and liquid, but would not appear as an additional product with the solid phase in this reaction. 

 

Example Question #1 : Thermodynamics Of Phase Changes

 of energy is added to a  sample, which undergoes a phase change from liquid to gas as a result. The temperature remains constant throughout the process. What does the quantity represent?

Possible Answers:

Heat of vaporization

Specific heat capacity

Specific heat of vaporization

Enthalpy of vaporization

Correct answer:

Specific heat of vaporization

Explanation:

The energy required to cause a liquid-gas phase change is called the heat of vaporization, and is usually given in the units of kilojoules per mole. Enthalpy of vaporization and heat of vaporization are the same quantity.

When the heat of vaporization is given for a single gram of substance, with the units of Joules per gram, it is termed the specific heat of vaporization. This is the quantity given in the question: the energy required to vaporize exactly one gram of the sample.

Specific heat capacity refers to the energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of a sample by one degree Celsius.

Example Question #2 : Thermodynamics Of Phase Changes

The following diagram shows the temperature of a substance as constant heat is supplied. Suppose the substance began in a solid state.  

 

 Vaporization_graph2

What is the freezing point of the substance?

Possible Answers:

B

D

X

Y

Correct answer:

X

Explanation:

Freezing point is always a temperature, meaning it must correspond to a single point on the y-axis. During the freezing/melting process, heat is absorbed/released from the system without any change in temperature. This results in the temperature plateau at the freezing point.

While the substance is freezing during interval B, the freezing point is the temperature at which it freezes, X.

Example Question #1 : Thermodynamics Of Phase Changes

The following diagram shows the temperature of a substance as constant heat is supplied.  Suppose the substance began in a solid state.  

 

 Vaporization_graph2

The slope of the graph is zero at intervals B and D because __________.

Possible Answers:

no phase changes are taking place at these intervals

the heat that is supplied is being used to overcome intermolecular forces

no energy is being supplied to the system

the substance is undergoing fusion at these intervals

Correct answer:

the heat that is supplied is being used to overcome intermolecular forces

Explanation:

During intervals B and D, fusion and vaporization are taking place, respectively. Instead of raising the temperature of the substance, the energy that is added during these phase changes is used to overcome intermolecular forces. The energy breaks the attraction between particles, allowing them to separate and gain the properties of a higher energy phase (liquid or gas).

When the slope is not zero, the phase is steady and the added heat energy is used to increase the molecular kinetic energy of the particles, resulting in a temperature increase.

Example Question #2 : Thermodynamics Of Phase Changes

The molar heats of fusion and vaporization for water are given below:

A certain amount of snow is formed in the atmosphere, and  of energy is released. How much water was solidified?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the given molar heat of fusion to calculate the amount of snow formed. Remember that heats of fusion and solidification are opposite processes, so the magnitudes of molar heats of fusion and solidification are the same and signs are opposite. This indicates that fusion (melting) is endothermic, while solidification is exothermic.

The given change in energy will be negative, since the question states that it is released from the system into the atmosphere.

Convert moles to grams, and grams to pounds.

Example Question #3 : Thermodynamics Of Phase Changes

The molar heats of fusion and vaporization for water are given below:

of water solidify and of water vaporize within a closed system. What is the change in energy of the surroundings?

Possible Answers:

 of energy is absorbed from the surroundings

 of energy is absorbed from the surroundings

 of energy is released to the surroundings

The system experiences no overall change in energy

Correct answer:

 of energy is absorbed from the surroundings

Explanation:

We must use the given heats of fusion and vaporization to calculate the energy change involved in these two processes.

First, calculate the energy change when  of water solidifies. Convert the mass to moles and multiply by the heat released during freezing. This value will be equal in magnitude, but opposite in sign to the heat of fusion.

From this calculation we find that  of heat is released into the surroundings (a negative sign denotes an exothermic process). 

Next, find the energy change associated with the vaporization of of water, using the given heat of vaporization:

We find that  of energy is absorbed when this quantity of water is vaporized.  

Adding the two together we find a total of .

Since this is a positive number, that means that the energy is absorbed from the surroundings (endothermic).

Example Question #141 : Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, And Other Concepts

The enthalpy of fusion for water is .

The specific heat capacity for ice is .

The specific heat capacity for water is .

How much heat is necessary to raise  of water from  to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Solving this problem means solving for three steps.

1. The heat needed to raise the temperature from –20oC to 0oC.

2. Melting the ice (changing phases).

3. Raising the water temperature from 0oC to 50oC.

Steps 1 and 3 are both solved by the equation .

Step 2 is solved using the enthalpy of fusion, and is multiplied by the number of grams being melted: .

Combining the steps, we get the following expression.

Example Question #5 : Thermodynamics Of Phase Changes

The molar heats of fusion and vaporization for water are given below:

Which of the following is not true?

Possible Answers:

It takes  to melt two moles of water

The heat of condensation is 

Solidification is an exothermic process

Vaporization is an endothermic process

Correct answer:

The heat of condensation is 

Explanation:

Vaporization and condensation refer to the transition from liquid to gas and from gas to liquid, respectively. Fusion and freezing, in contrast, refer to the transition from solid to liquid and from liquid to solid, respectively. Vaporization (boiling) and fusion (melting) each require an input of energy, making them endothermic processes with positive changes in enthalpy. Condensation and freezing result in a decrease in energy and an output of enthalpy, making them exothermic.

The given enthalpy of fusion tells us that are consumed for every mole of water. If two moles of water are present, then are consumed during melting.

Enthalpy of vaporization will be equal and opposite the enthalpy of condensation. Since condensation is exothermic, heat will be released and the change in enthalpy must be negative (not positive).

Heat of condensation:

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors