Chemistry Workbook For Dummies with Online Practice

Chemistry Workbook For Dummies is your ultimate companion for introductory chemistry at the high school or college level. Packed with hundreds of practice problems, this workbook gives you the practice you need to internalize the essential concepts that form the foundations of chemistry. From matter and molecules to moles and measurements, these problems cover the full spectrum of topics you'll see in class—and each section includes key concept review and full explanations for every problem to quickly get you on the right track. This new third edition includes access to an online test bank, where you'll find bonus chapter quizzes to help you test your understanding and pinpoint areas in need of review. Whether you're preparing for an exam or seeking a start-to-finish study aid, this workbook is your ticket to acing basic chemistry.

Chemistry problems can look intimidating; it's a whole new language, with different rules, new symbols, and complex concepts. The good news is that practice makes perfect, and this book provides plenty of it—with easy-to-understand coaching every step of the way.

• Delve deep into the parts of the periodic table
• Get comfortable with units, scientific notation, and chemical equations
• Work with states, phases, energy, and charges
• Master nomenclature, acids, bases, titrations, redox reactions, and more

Understanding introductory chemistry is critical for your success in all science classes to follow; keeping up with the material now makes life much easier down the education road. Chemistry Workbook For Dummies gives you the practice you need to succeed!

Christopher Hren is a high school chemistry teacher and former track and football coach. Peter J. Mikulecky, PhD, teaches biology and chemistry at Fusion Learning Center and Fusion Academy.

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 2

Beyond the Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: Getting Cozy with Numbers, Atoms, and Elements 5

Chapter 1: Noting Numbers Scientifically 7

Using Exponential and Scientific Notation to Report Measurements 7

Multiplying and Dividing in Scientific Notation 9

Using Exponential Notation to Add and Subtract 10

Distinguishing between Accuracy and Precision 12

Expressing Precision with Significant Figures 13

Doing Arithmetic with Significant Figures 15

Answers to Questions on Noting Numbers Scientifically 17

Chapter 2: Using and Converting Units 21

Familiarizing Yourself with Base Units and Metric System Prefixes 22

Building Derived Units from Base Units 23

Converting between Units: The Conversion Factor 25

Letting the Units Guide You 28

Answers to Questions on Using and Converting Units 31

Chapter 3: Breaking Down Atoms 33

The Atom: Protons, Electrons, and Neutrons 33

Deciphering Chemical Symbols: Atomic and Mass Numbers 35

Accounting for Isotopes Using Atomic Masses 38

Answers to Questions on Atoms 40

Chapter 4: Surveying the Periodic Table of the Elements 43

Organizing the Periodic Table into Periods and Groups 43

Predicting Properties from Periodic and Group Trends 46

Seeking Stability with Valence Electrons by Forming Ions 48

Putting Electrons in Their Places: Electron Configurations 50

Measuring the Amount of Energy (or Light) an Excited Electron Emits 53

Answers to Questions on the Periodic Table 55

Part 2: Making and Remaking Compounds 57

Chapter 5: Building Bonds 59

Pairing Charges with Ionic Bonds 60

Sharing Electrons with Covalent Bonds 63

Occupying and Overlapping Molecular Orbitals 67

Polarity: Sharing Electrons Unevenly 70

Shaping Molecules: VSEPR Theory and Hybridization 73

Answers to Questions on Bonds 78

Chapter 6: Naming Compounds and Writing Formulas 81

Labeling Ionic Compounds and Writing Their Formulas 81

Getting a Grip on Ionic Compounds with Polyatomic Ions 85

Naming Molecular (Covalent) Compounds and Writing Their Formulas 87

Addressing Acids 89

Mixing the Rules for Naming and Formula Writing 91

Beyond the Basics: Naming Organic Carbon Chains 93

Answers to Questions on Naming Compounds and Writing Formulas 96

Chapter 7: Understanding the Many Uses of the Mole 101

The Mole Conversion Factor: Avogadro’s Number 102

Doing Mass and Volume Mole Conversions 103

Determining Percent Composition 106

Calculating Empirical Formulas 107

Using Empirical Formulas to Find Molecular Formulas 109

Answers to Questions on Moles 111

Chapter 8: Getting a Grip on Chemical Equations 115

Translating Chemistry into Equations and Symbols 116

Balancing Chemical Equations 118

Recognizing Reactions and Predicting Products 120

Combination (synthesis) 120

Decomposition 120

Single replacement (single displacement) 121

Double replacement (double displacement) 121

Combustion 123

Canceling Spectator Ions: Net Ionic Equations 125

Answers to Questions on Chemical Equations 127

Chapter 9: Putting Stoichiometry to Work 129

Using Mole-Mole Conversions from Balanced Equations 130

Putting Moles at the Center: Conversions Involving Particles, Volumes, and Masses 132

Limiting Your Reagents 135

Counting Your Chickens after They’ve Hatched: Percent Yield Calculations 138

Answers to Questions on Stoichiometry 140

Part 3: Examining Changes in Terms of Energy 147

Chapter 10: Understanding States in Terms of Energy 149

Describing States of Matter with the Kinetic Molecular Theory 149

Make a Move: Figuring Out Phase Transitions and Diagrams 151

Answers to Questions on Changes of State 154

Chapter 11: Obeying Gas Laws 155

Boyle’s Law: Playing with Pressure and Volume 156

Charles’s Law and Absolute Zero: Looking at Volume and Temperature 157

The Combined and Ideal Gas Laws: Working with Pressure, Volume, and Temperature 159

Mixing It Up with Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures 162

Diffusing and Effusing with Graham’s Law 163

Answers to Questions on Gas Laws 165

Chapter 12: Dissolving into Solutions 169

Seeing Different Forces at Work in Solubility 169

Concentrating on Molarity and Percent Solutions 172

Changing Concentrations by Making Dilutions 174

Altering Solubility with Temperature 175

Answers to Questions on Solutions 178

Chapter 13: Playing Hot and Cold: Colligative Properties 183

Portioning Particles: Molality and Mole Fractions 183

Too Hot to Handle: Elevating and Calculating Boiling Points 186

How Low Can You Go? Depressing and Calculating Freezing Points 188

Determining Molecular Masses with Boiling and Freezing Points 189

Answers to Questions on Colligative Properties 191

Chapter 14: Exploring Rates and Equilibrium 195

Measuring Rates 195

Focusing on Factors That Affect Rates 199

Measuring Equilibrium 201

The equilibrium constant 202

Free energy 203

Answers to Questions on Rates and Equilibrium 206

Chapter 15: Warming Up to Thermochemistry 209

Understanding the Basics of Thermodynamics 209

Working with Specific Heat Capacity and Calorimetry 212

Absorbing and Releasing Heat: Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions 214

Summing Heats with Hess’s Law 216

Answers to Questions on Thermochemistry 218

Part 4: Swapping Charges 221

Chapter 16: Working with Acids and Bases 223

Surveying Three Complementary Methods for Defining Acids and Bases 224

Method 1: Arrhenius sticks to the basics 224

Method 2: Brønsted-Lowry tackles bases without a hydroxide ion 225

Method 3: Lewis relies on electron pairs 226

Measuring Acidity and Basicity: pH, pOH, and K_W 228

K_a and K_b: Finding Strength through Dissociation 230

Answers to Questions on Acids and Bases 233

Chapter 17: Achieving Neutrality with Titrations and Buffers 237

Concentrating on Titration to Figure Out Molarity 238

Maintaining Your pH with Buffers 241

Measuring Salt Solubility with K_sp 244

Answers to Questions on Titrations and Buffers 245

Chapter 18: Accounting for Electrons in Redox 247

Oxidation Numbers: Keeping Tabs on Electrons 247

Balancing Redox Reactions under Acidic Conditions 250

Balancing Redox Reactions under Basic Conditions 252

Answers to Questions on Electrons in Redox 255

Chapter 19: Galvanizing Yourself to Do Electrochemistry 259

Identifying Anodes and Cathodes 259

Calculating Electromotive Force and Standard Reduction Potentials 263

Coupling Current to Chemistry: Electrolytic Cells 266

Answers to Questions on Electrochemistry 269

Chapter 20: Doing Chemistry with Atomic Nuclei 273

Decaying Nuclei in Different Ways 273

Alpha decay 274

Beta decay 274

Gamma decay 275

Measuring Rates of Decay: Half-Lives 276

Making and Breaking Nuclei: Fusion and Fission 277

Answers to Questions on Nuclear Chemistry 279

Part 5: The Part of Tens 281

Chapter 21: Ten Chemistry Formulas to Tattoo on Your Brain 283

Chapter 22: Ten Annoying Exceptions to Chemistry Rules 289

Index 295

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