SAT II Chemistry : Compounds

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Compounds And Molecules

Which of the following is the correct name of ?

Possible Answers:

Nitrogen monoxide

Nitrogen dioxide

Dinitrogen tetraoxide

Dinitrogen monoxide

Dinitrogen pentoxide 

Correct answer:

Dinitrogen tetraoxide

Explanation:

In order to answer the question, it is important to first determine what kind of bonding is occurring in order to properly name the molecule. When nitrogen and oxygen form an  molecule, electrons are shared between the atoms, so a covalent bond is formed.

Because a covalent bond is formed, we can determine that name of the molecule will be based on number of each atom in the molecule. There are two nitrogen atoms in the resulting molecule, so the prefix in front of the "nitrogen" part of the name will be "di-," meaning two. There are four oxygen atoms in the resulting molecule, so the prefix in front of the "oxygen" part of the name will be "tetra," meaning four.

The molecules names will be arranged alphabetically, and the second atom will have "-ide" as the suffix. Therefore, the correct answer is "dinitrogen tetroxide."

Example Question #3 : Compounds And Molecules

What is the formula for the compound formed from calcium and sulfate ions?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to answer this question correctly, it is important to have knowledge of the formation of ionic bonds, polyatomic ions, and the periodic table. First, it is important to notice that calcium ions and sulfate ions will form an ionic bond. Knowing this, it can be understood that valance electrons will be exchanged between the ions and therefore, oppositely charged ions that are attracted to each other will be formed.

Calcium is in the second column of the periodic table, so it will provide two ions to the sulfate polyatomic ion. This will form a calcium cation () and a sulfate polyatomic anion ().

One calcium ion provides two electrons, which are both accepted by a sulfate polyatomic ion, so the ratio of calcium ions used to sulfate polyatomic ions used is 1:1. This means that only one of each ion is needed to form the compound, making the formula .

Initially it may be tempting to write the formula as ; however, since both ions have a "2" subscript in this form, it is redundant to the formula in this way. Only one of each ion is needed to form the compound.

Example Question #4 : Compounds And Molecules

All of the following are properties of zinc. Which of the following are chemical properties of zinc?

A. Zinc produces hydrogen gas when placed in acid.

B. Zinc melts at .

C. The density of zinc is .

D. Zinc is a grey metal.

E. Zinc corrodes in moist air.

Possible Answers:

 A and E

B

A, C, and E 

B and C

C

Correct answer:

 A and E

Explanation:

Physical properties are aspects of matter that can be observed and measured without changing it. Chemical properties measure the potential for undergoing a chemical change. How zinc reacts to acid and in moist air are both chemical properties because the zinc is undergoing chemical change in each environment. The color, density, and melting point of the zinc can all be observed without changing the nature of the matter, so these are physical properties of zinc.

Example Question #5 : Compounds And Molecules

Which of the following are strong electrolytes? 

Possible Answers:

Two

Four

All five

One

Three

Correct answer:

Three

Explanation:

Strong electrolytes are substances that exists in solutions as only ions. These substances dissociate 100% in solutions. Strong acids, strong bases, and salts are all examples of strong electrolytes.  is a strong acid.  is a salt.  is a salt.  is a weak acid.   is a weak base. Therefore the answer is three.

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