Chem 204 Summary of Topics for Final Exam

Note: This list is simply a compilation and summary of topics we covered this semester, use it
as a guide, but not as the only study source, as stated in our course policy, assigned readings,
chapter problems and lecture notes are all game for the final.
Quantum, Light and Energy
Describe photoelectric effect, and
Be able to calculate energy, wavelength or frequency of light from the relations, E=h, and c=
Be able to use the Bohr model to assess the energy transitions inside the hydrogen atom
Know how to calculate the uncertainty in the location or speed of a particle
Be able to interpret position/momentum plots
Know the concept of particle-wave duality, and know when and how to use the de Broglie
equation
Understand the particle-in-a-box model and be able to use the model to describe the
energy of an electron
Know the premise of Schrdingers equation and what is a wave function
Be able to identify graphically a wave function, electron density plot and its corresponding orbital
shape(s) (focus on the s,p,d orbitals) (see also http://winter.group.shef.ac.uk/orbitron/ , youll need
Firefox to see the electron density plot, as Chrome no long supports java based plugins)
Name and explain the relations of each of the four quantum numbers to the properties and
relative energies of atomic orbital, and the shape of the orbitals
Be able to write the ground state electron configuration (spdf notation as well as the orbital
filling diagram) for an element/ion, and know the exception discussed in lecture
Chemical Bonding, Coordination Compounds and Crystal Field Theory
Understand concept of hybridization and be able to determine the specific hybridization
schemes for the atoms in a molecule
Be able to interpret the hybridization energy diagram and describe the pi and sigma bond
formation in the context of the hybridization model
Understand the concept of molecular orbital theory, and how the different MOs are
constructed via combination of atomic orbitals.
Be able to use MO diagrams and give information about bond order and magnetic properties
Know the properties and characteristics of coordination complex formation (octahedral,
tetrahedral)
Be able to identify and name coordination compounds
Understand structural and geometric isomerism, chirality in the context of coordination
compounds
Be able to explain what crystal field theory is about, and how it is used to describe the color
we observe in coordination compounds.
Know the difference between strong- vs. weak-field ligands, and how they affect energy splitting.
Know the difference between high-spin vs. low spin configurations, and how we can use
these to give us magnetic information about the complexes.

IMFs, Solids and Properties of Solutions

Understand the different types of intermolecular forces
Be able to rank boiling points based on relative intermolecular forces
Be able to interpret a phase diagram (know what species is present under given conditions)
Understand how we think about solubility and how intermolecular forces really drive
solubility (like dissolves like)
Understand how boiling point elevation and freezing point depression work
Understand how osmotic pressure works (and why) and how we calculate osmotic pressure
Be able to determine the vapor pressure of a system when given the mole fraction and the
pure vapor pressure
Know the three basic unit cells for pure solids
Be able to calculate the density of a unit cell, molar mass, and determine identity of an unknown
metal
Understand the properties and characteristics of molecular solids (focus on the metalloids
that have semiconductive properties).
Acid/Bases and Aqueous Equilibria
Know how to use ICE tables to solve equilibrium problems
Understand the definitions of Ka, Kb, and Kw and their respective equations
Be able to calculate the pH of a weak acid/weak base solution
Be able to calculate the pH of a mixture of weak acids/electrolytes/weak bases solution
Be able to predict relative acidity based on molecular structure
Understand how buffered systems work and
Be able to calculate the pH of a buffer solution
Know how to calculate the pH changes when acid or base is added to a buffer solution
Be able to work through a polyprotic titrations where you can determine the pH at halfway
points, equiv points, and any point in between
Be able to determine the major species at any point in a titration
Know how to calculate molar solubility using Ksp, and how common ion effect influence
solubility.
Be able to use a Ksp to determine how much of a reagent is needed to cause a precipitate to
form
Understand complex-ion formation and the use Kf in equilibrium calculations

Electrochemistry
Know how to balance redox equation in acidic and basic solutions
Be able to assess whether a specie is a good/poor oxidizing agent/reducing agent.
Be able to identify which half reaction is cathode or anode in a galvanic or electrolytic cell
Be able to determine the standard potential for a cell
Know how to use the Nernst Equation to determine the nonstandard potential for a cell
Understand how the mass of the anode electrode and cathode electrode change over time
in a galvanic cell
Be able to determine how much material will be plated in an electrolytic cell
Be able to determine how long a cell will be able to run given a specific set of experimental
conditions (and vice versa)
Understand, qualitatively and quantitatively how the potential of a cell changes as we
change the concentration of species in the reaction
Be able to construct a concentration cell and be able to determine the potential as the
cell moves towards equilibrium
Know the stoichiometric calculations involved in electrochemical cells/reactions
Understand the concepts discussed in lecture on batteries, and corrosion prevention

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Know the basic naming rules for alkanes and its common substituents
Know and be able to identify the functional groups when given the structure
Be able to identify geometric isomerism (i.e. cis/trans configuration) in alkenes and cycloalkanes
Know how to draw a Newman project, and be able to assess the stability of different
conformations for a given molecule.
Be able to determine if a molecule has a stereocenter, and to determine whether if a stereocenter
has a R or S configuration
Understand resonance structures and arrow pushing formalism in organic reactions
Be familiar with nucleophilic substitution reactions, and the species involved (i.e. what makes
good/poor nucleophile, leaving group, etc.)
Be able to determine if a reaction will go through an SN1 or SN2 reaction
Understand the mechanism of SN1 and SN2