Chemistry First Semester Midterm Study Guide
Exam Weighting
Final exam counts for 15% of final grade.
Grade calculation formula: 0.85(class\, grade) + 0.15(final\, exam\, grade) = semester\, grade.
Unit 1: Data/Measurements
Significant Figures (SigFigs): rules for counting, calculations, conversions.
Density calculation: density = \frac{mass}{volume}.
History of the Atom: Democritus, Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford.
Atomic Structure: atomic number, mass, protons, electrons, neutrons, isotopes.
Distinction between atoms and molecules, periodic table basics.
Unit 2: Compounds and Molecules
Covalent vs. Ionic Compounds: bonding and properties.
Naming and writing formulas for ionic, covalent compounds, and acids.
Importance of electrolytes.
Unit 3: Chemical Reactions
Differences between chemical and physical changes.
Types of reactions: Synthesis, Decomposition, Single Replacement, Double Replacement, Combustion.
Balancing chemical equations and predicting products.
Unit 4: Chemical Composition and the Mole
Understanding moles, molar mass, Avogadro's number, percent composition.
Unit conversions and dimensional analysis for mass/mole calculations.
Empirical and molecular formulas definition and calculation.
Unit 5: Stoichiometry
Stoichiometric relationships: coefficients, molar ratios for reactions.
Theoretical vs. actual yield, percent yield calculation.
Practice Problems
Significant figures, metric conversions, density calculations.
Atomic structure details: protons, electrons, neutrons in isotopes.
Formulas and naming conventions for ions and compounds.
Balancing chemical equations and writing equations from descriptive scenarios.
Nomenclature
Ionic and covalent compound naming conventions.
Rules for writing formulas from names for ionic and covalent compounds.
Final Tips
Review reaction types and balancing techniques.
Practice significant figures and unit conversions.
Focus on atomic structure and compound nomenclature for equations and lab results.