General Chemistry Questions
Divisions of Chemistry
Short Answer
Terminology 3
Misc. Chemistry Questions
100

Where is the Atomic Number on your periodic table?

Above the chemical symbol. 

100

If you are working with Carbon Dioxide or Carbon Monoxide, what division of chemistry are you working in?

Organic Chemistry. 

100

What element has the lightest atoms?

Hydrogen


100

What is the atomic number?

Number of protons in an element. 

100

What is the degree of error in a 50ml and 100ml graduated cylinder?

nearest ml

200

What group of people are credited with the beginnings of modern chemistry?

The Alchemists of the 1600s who tried to turn any metal into gold. 

200

If your goal is to create new elements, what division of chemistry are you working in?

Nuclear Chemistry

200

Can atoms have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons? Explain

Yes, you could have isotopes of two different elements. 

200

What is the Mass Number?

Sum of the protons and neutrons. 

200

If you are working with amino acids or proteins, what division of chemistry are you working in ?

Biochemistry. 

300

Where is the mass number on your periodic table. 

Trick Question......

There is no mass number on your periodic table. You have atomic mass on your periodic table below each chemical symbol but the atomic mass, while similar, is different from the mass number. 

300

If you are working with Iron Oxide (FeO), what division of chemistry are you workin in?

Inorganic Chemistry

300

Look up at Mr. Breitenfeld. Is what he just did considered chemistry?

Chemistry is the study of materials, including the altering of them. Ripping, crumpling a piece of paper would classify as chemistry.

300

What are Isotopes?

Atoms of the same element who have different numbers of neutrons. 

300

What did Robert Milliken contribute to chemistry?

Discovered the charge of a single electron. Combined with J.J. Thomson's charge/mass ratio scientists were able to calculate the weight of a single electron. 

400

What is an example of Chemistry causing large scale change throughout human history? Be specific. 

Chemistry is altering of materials. Stone Age allowed humans to make better tools and settle instead of being nomads.

Bronze Age allowed even better tools and led to first permanent civilizations. 

Iron Age created great political change by sparking more and more wars because of iron weapons. 

Microchips made from silicon have created computers, phones, and all sorts of other technology that has greatly altered the world. 

400

If you are trying to figure out which elements are more reactive, have larger atomic nuclei, have higher electronegativity, etc., what division of chemistry are you working in?

Analytical Chemistry

400

This question is also worth 1,000 points because it is hard. Good luck :)

Out of Dalton's four postulates he published with his atomic theory, what is the only one that is not true?

2. All elements of a given element are identical, but different from other elements. 


We know now there are Isotopes which are atoms of the same element with different number of neutrons. 

400

What are Significant figures?

All the values you know for certain plus one point of estimation. 

400

How was the AMU established?

Scientists looked at the hydrogen atom and determined it had the lightest atoms and they based the weight of those atoms as the basis for the AMU.

500

Why is Chemistry often called "The Central Science"?

Chemistry is used in almost all branches of science. At some level almost all economic activity or business will require knowledge of a chemist.

500

If you are working in thermodynamics or kinetics, what division of chemistry are working in?

Physical Chemistry

500

This question is worth 1,500 points because it is hard. Good luck :)

What were John Dalton's four postulates he published with his atomic theory?

1. Each element is made up of extremely small particles called atoms that are the smallest unit of matter. 

2. All atoms of a given element are identical, but different from other elements. 

3. Atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. 

4. A given compound always has the same relative number and kinds of atoms. 

500

Define all three for the points: Proton, Neutron, and Electron. 

Proton: Positively charged subatomic particle found within the nucleus.


Neutron: Subatomic particle with no charge that is found within the nucleus.


Electron: Negatively charged particle with no charge that is found outside the nucleus. 

500
Look up to the board at Mr. Breitenfeld's drawing. Describe the archers shooting pattern correctly. 

The archer is both precise and accurate since his pattern is all in the bullseye.