Inorganic Chemistry: Thermodynamics & Group IA, IB, IIA, IIB Properties

Vocabulary flashcards covering thermodynamics, alkali metals, coinage metals, alkaline earth metals, and the zinc family.

Thermodynamics

The science of the relationship between heat, work, temperature, and energy, dealing with the transfer and transformation of energy.

Spontaneous Reaction

A chemical reaction or process that does occur under a given set of conditions.

Nonspontaneous Reaction

A chemical reaction or process that does not occur under specified conditions.

Open System

A thermodynamic system that exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings.

Closed System

A thermodynamic system that exchanges energy with its surroundings, but not matter.

Isolated System

A thermodynamic system that exchanges neither matter nor energy with its surroundings.

Adiabatic System

A subtype of an isolated thermodynamic system in which no heat or energy flow occurs.

Heat ($q$)

Energy transfer that occurs specifically as a result of a temperature difference.

Work ($w$)

Energy transfer achieved via the compression or expansion of a gas.

Internal Energy ($U$)

The total energy of all particles within a system, encompassing both thermal and chemical energy.

Enthalpy ($H$)

The heat energy of a reaction, governed by Hess's Law stating total energy equals the sum of all step energies.

Entropy ($S$)

A thermodynamic quantity representing the degree of disorderliness or randomness in a system.

Heat Capacity ($c$)

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a given object by $1^\text{o}$.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a substance per gram by $1^\text{o}$.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Law of Conservation of Energy stating energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed, maintaining a constant total energy in the universe.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

States that the entropy ($S$) of an isolated system (the universe) only increases, and heat always flows spontaneously from hotter to colder regions.

Third Law of Thermodynamics

States that the entropy of a pure crystalline solid at absolute zero ($0\text{ K}$) is equal to zero.

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

States that if two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other ($T_1 = T_2$ and $T_1 = T_3 \rightarrow T_2 = T_3$).

Group IA (Alkali Metals)

Monovalent metals ($H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr$) with 1 valence electron that form strongly basic oxides/hydroxides, yield water-soluble salts, and do not form complexes.

Lithium ($Li$)

Lightest of all metals, derived from 'Lithos' (earth/stone), stored under oil due to reactivity, and shares a diagonal/bridge relationship with Magnesium ($Mg$).

Lithium Carbonate ($Li_2CO_3$)

USP compound used in the treatment of hypomanic and manic states, marketed under brand names Eskalith, Quilonium-R, and Lithase.

Lithium Citrate

A lithium salt used as a systemic manic-state stabilizer.

Lithium Bromide

A lithium salt utilized as a CNS depressant and sedative.

Lithium Hydroxide

A strong base capable of destroying living tissue.

Sodium ($Na$)

Derived from Latin 'natrium', the major cation of extracellular fluid and 6th most abundant element in Earth's crust; promotes water retention.

Sodium Bicarbonate ($NaHCO_3$)

The 2nd most abundant extracellular anion, manufactured via the Solvay process, used as an antacid and systemic/urinary alkalizer.

Sodium Chloride ($NaCl$)

Known as table, rock, sea, or diuretic salt, or halite; functions as an electrolyte replenisher and pharmaceutical vehicle.

Rochelle Salt (Potassium Sodium Tartrate)

A sodium-potassium salt used as a laxative and as a $Cu^{2+}$ sequestrant in Fehling's solution.

Glauber's Salt (Sodium Sulfate)

A sodium salt used therapeutically as a saline laxative.

Chile Saltpeter (Sodium Nitrate)

A sodium salt compound used commercially as a meat preservative.

Soda Lime

A chemical mixture used as a $CO_2$ absorber in anesthesia machines.

Potassium ($K$)

Derived from Latin 'kalium', it is the major cation of intracellular fluid and is more reactive than sodium metal.

Potassium Chloride ($KCl$)

An essential potassium salt used to correct hypokalemia and hypochloremic alkalosis.

Cream of Tartar (Potassium Bitartrate)

A potassium salt compound used as a saline laxative.

Potassium Iodide ($KI$)

A potassium salt stable in air, used to prevent goiter, treat hyperthyroidism, and act as an expectorant.

Saltpeter (Potassium Nitrate)

The only US-FDA approved tooth-desensitizing agent at a concentration of $5\text{\% }w/w$.

Caustic Potash (Potassium Hydroxide)

A potassium compound used in soap manufacturing and in Vienna Paste.

Potash (Potassium Carbonate)

A potassium compound used as an alkalinifying and saponifying agent.

Cesium ($Cs$)

The first element discovered by spectroscopy; $CsCl$ is used in DNA density-gradient centrifugation.

Francium ($Fr$)

The most metallic and least electronegative element in Group IA.

Ammonium ($NH_4^+$)

A pseudo-alkali metal ion whose salts resemble $K^+$ and $Rb^+$ salts (isomorphous).

Sal Volatile / Hartshorn (Ammonium Carbonate)

An ammonium compound used as a respiratory stimulant and expectorant.

Spirit of Mindererus (Ammonium Acetate)

An ammonium compound used therapeutically as a styptic.

Haber Process

An industrial chemical process that produces strong ammonia solution via the reaction $N_2 + 3H_2 \rightarrow 2NH_3 + \text{heat}$.

Group IB (Coinage / Noble Metals)

Polyvalent transition metals ($Cu, Ag, Au$) that occur freely in nature, are highly malleable, unreactive, form covalent bonds, and yield insoluble halides.

Copper ($Cu$)

The only reddish-colored metal and 3rd most malleable metal; forms alloys such as Bronze ($Cu + Sn$) and Brass ($Cu + Zn$).

Cupric Sulfate ($CuSO_4 \text{· } 5H_2O$)

Known as blue vitriol or blue stone; enhances $Fe$ utilization, serves as an antidote for Phosphorus poisoning, and is present in Paris Green and Bordeaux mixture.

Silver ($Ag$)

Derived from Latin 'argentum/luna', best conductor of heat and electricity, precipitates tissue proteins, and causes skin darkening known as Argyria upon chronic exposure.

Lunar Caustic (Toughened $AgNO_3$)

Toughened silver nitrate formulated into styptic sticks and used for treating warts and canker sores.

Howe's Solution (Ammoniacal $AgNO_3$)

A silver compound preparation used as a dental protective when combined with formaldehyde or eugenol.

Argyrol

A mild silver protein preparation used for vaginitis treatment and as an eye antiseptic.

Protargol

A strong silver protein compound used as an antiseptic for ears, throat, and bladder.

Collargol

A colloidal silver preparation used as a general germicide.

Gold ($Au$)

Known as 'aurum' or 'King of all metals'; most malleable metal, soft and ductile, soluble in Aqua Regia ($3\text{ HCl} : 1\text{ HNO}_3$) and Selenic acid.

Aurothioglucose (Solganal)

An IM antirheumatic gold compound containing $50\text{\% }Au$ used for rheumatoid arthritis.

Gold Sodium Thiomalate (Myochristine)

An IM antirheumatic gold compound containing $50\text{\% }Au$ used for adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Auranofin (Ridaura)

An oral antirheumatic agent containing $29\text{\% }Au$.

Astringent

A property characteristic of Group IB compounds that tightens tissues and dries up secretions.

Beryllium ($Be^{2+}$)

The least metallic Group IIA element; highly toxic via ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption causing lung carcinoma, and used in fluorescent lamps.

Magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$)

Lightest important metal and 2nd most abundant intracellular cation; produced via Dow's process, with toxicity treated using Calcium Gluconate.

Milk of Magnesia ($Mg(OH)_2$)

An OTC antacid (found in Kremil-S) that produces diarrhea as a common side effect.

Epsom Salt ($MgSO_4$)

A magnesium salt that acts as an antidote for Barium toxicity, a saline laxative, and an anticonvulsant in (pre)eclampsia.

Magnesia Usta ($MgO$)

Component of the Universal Antidote (along with Tannic Acid and Activated Charcoal); acts as a nonsystemic antacid and laxative.

Calcium ($Ca^{2+}$)

The 2nd most abundant extracellular cation, essential for blood coagulation, muscle contraction, and neurotransmitter release; requires Vitamin D for absorption.

Muriate of Lime (Calcium Chloride)

A calcium salt compound used therapeutically as a calcium replenisher.

Plaster of Paris

A formulation containing Calcium Sulfate as a primary ingredient.

Strontium ($Sr^{2+}$)

A brass-yellow metal used in red pyrotechnics and radioactive bone scanning; serves as an alternative to Ca in bone formation.

Baritosis

Toxicity caused by Barium exposure, for which Epsom salt ($MgSO_4$) is the antidote.

Barium Sulfate ($BaSO_4$)

A radiopaque compound used as a contrast agent for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) imaging.

Barium Hydroxide

A barium compound utilized as a $CO_2$ absorbent.

Radium ($Ra^{2+}$)

First radioactive substance discovered by Marie Curie, used in cancer radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging.

Zinc ($Zn^{2+}$)

Essential trace mineral present in insulin; crucial for wound healing and cell growth, deficiency causes Parakeratosis, and toxicity is treated with Baking Soda.

Calamine

A skin protectant composed of Zinc Oxide ($ZnO$) and Ferric Oxide ($Fe_2O_3$).

White Vitriol (Zinc Sulfate)

A zinc salt used as a germicide and dietary zinc supplement.

Butter of Zinc (Zinc Chloride)

A zinc compound utilized as a germicide.

Itai-Itai Disease

Cadmium toxicity characterized by renal insufficiency and painful osteomalacia; treated using BAL (British Anti-Lewisite / Dimercaprol).

Cadmium Sulfide

A yellow cadmium compound used topically as an antiseborrheic agent.

Minimata Disease

Toxicity state caused by Mercury exposure; treated with EDTA, Sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, or Egg albumin.

Calomel (Mercurous Chloride)

A mercury compound used as a cathartic and local antiseptic.

Corrosive Sublimate (Mercuric Chloride)

A highly toxic, corrosive compound formed from mercuric chloride.

White Precipitate (Ammoniated Mercury)

A mercurial compound used topically for its anti-infective and antiseptic properties.