General Chemistry I Assessment
Answers
Q1a. Six Common Shapes of Simple Molecules
Linear: CO₂, BeCl₂
Bent (Angular): H₂O, SO₂
Trigonal Planar: BF₃, NO₃⁻
Tetrahedral: CH₄, NH₄⁺
Trigonal Pyramidal: NH₃, PCl₃
Octahedral: SF₆, [CoF₆]³⁻
Q1b. Explanation of Terms
Ionization Energy: Energy required to remove one electron from a neutral atom in gaseous
state.
Electronegativity: Ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons.
Electron Affinity: Energy change when an atom gains an electron.
Atomic Radii: The distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell.
Q2a. Definitions
Universal Indicator: A mixture of pH indicators that shows different colors at different pH
levels.
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals: Mixing of atomic orbitals to form new orbitals (e.g., sp³,
sp²) for bonding.
Q2b. Element with 13 Protons and 14 Neutrons
i. Atomic Number: 13
ii. Mass Number: 27
iii. Element Name: Aluminium (Al)
Q3a. Isotopes and Relative Molecular Mass
Given Isotopes: ²⁰X and ²²X with ratio 3:1
Relative Mass = (3×20 + 1×22) / 4 = 20.5
Q3bi. Hydrocarbon Types and Hybridization
Alkanes (sp³, tetrahedral, 109.5°): CH₄
Alkenes (sp², trigonal planar, 120°): C₂H₄
Alkynes (sp, linear, 180°): C₂H₂
Q3bii. Four Types of Reactions with Examples
Combination Reaction: H₂ + Cl₂ → 2HCl
Decomposition Reaction: 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂
Single Displacement Reaction: Zn + HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂
Double Displacement Reaction: NaCl + AgNO₃ → NaNO₃ + AgCl
Q4a. Definitions
Atom: Smallest unit of an element.
Element: Pure substance with only one type of atom.
Compound: Substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded.
Isotopy: Existence of atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
Q4bi. pH Calculation
pH = -log(1.0 × 10⁻⁴) = 4
Q4bii. Differences Between Organic and Inorganic Acids
Organic Acids Inorganic Acids
Contain carbon Do not necessarily contain carbon
Found in living things Found in minerals
Weak acids Strong acids
Examples: Acetic acid, Citric acid, Lactic Examples: HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃
acid