Cracking the SAT Chemistry Subject Test

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

  1. A The first quantum number refers to the energy level, so it would be 3. A
    d-orbital is represented by a 2, giving us the second number. For the third
    number, the five possible numerical representations for a d-orbital
    orientation are −2, −1, 0, 1, or 2. The final quantum number, representing


the spin,   could   be  either      or  −.


  1. E First, according to the periodic table, Cr has 24 electrons. We can
    eliminate choices (B) and (C) because those configurations have 25
    electrons. Choice (A) is wrong because the 3s subshell is already
    accounted for in the [Ar] core—i.e., [Ar] stands for 1s^22 s^22 p^63 s^23 p^6.
    Now, according to the Aufbau principle, we completely fill subshells
    before moving up to the next higher one. So the best answer would
    appear to be choice (D). However, remember that completely half-filled
    and filled d subshells bestow extra stabilization to an atom. Therefore, Cr
    and Cu actually violate the Aufbau principle and promote a 4s electron to
    become [Ar] 4s^13 d^5 and [Ar] 4s^13 d^10 , respectively. Choice (E) is the
    correct ground state configuration for Cr.

  2. D At 25°C, pH + pOH = 14 for any solution. Therefore, if the pH is 10 for
    this solution, the pOH is 14 − 10 = 4. Taking the negative antilog of 4
    gives 10−4, choice (D).

  3. C Chromium is a transition metal, so the charge on the cation in this
    compound must be specified. Carbonate has a charge of negative two,
    and to balance it, the chromium must have a charge of positive two.

  4. D First, find the number of moles of Br−.


molarity    =   moles/volume    or  moles   =   molarity    ×   volume

                                                            =   0.1 M   ×   0.5 L

                                                            =   0.05    moles

Then    figure  out how much    0.05    moles   of  Br− weighs.
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