CHEM 161: Exam 1 Study Guide
Exam # 1, on Wednesday October 13th in AS1519, covers the material in Chapters 1, 2, and 3 exam itself is closed
book exam but you will be provided with a copy of common conversion factors, a copy of the periodic table, a list of
common names and symbols (except the first 20, which you are responsible for), and a list of common polyatomic
ions. Exam questions are modeled after group activity exercises and in-class quizzes, and these exercises are
indicative of the nature of the exam questions.
There will be lots of calculations, so make sure to bring calculator!
The exam consists of 3 parts:
 Part 1 (40points). 5 multiple choice questions (8pts each).
 Part 2 (36points). 3 Problem-solving questions (lots of math here, 12pts each).
 Part 3 (24points). 2 Conceptual type questions (12pts each).
Stuff To Concentrate On While Reviewing:
Terms/Concepts
 Basic understanding of elements,
atoms, compounds & molecules.
 Atomic number, atomic mass
 Proton, neutron, electron
 Writing and naming compound
formulas
 Molar mass (molecular weight)
 Balancing chemical equations
 Writing empirical and molecular
formulas
 Chemical
analysis
from
combustion reactions
 Mass calculations from chemical
equations
o Starting with a mass
o Starting with molar
concentration and volume
o Limiting reactants
Skills/Background Knowledge
 Metric units of grams, meters,
liters, oC, K
 Metric prefixes mega, kilo, centi,
milli, micro, nano
 Problem solving abilities
 Metric conversions
 Density
 Atomic number and mass
 Average atomic mass
 Significant figures and how to
use them in calculations
 Conceptual understanding of
problems
 WILL GIVE YOU LIST OF
POLYATOMIC IONS
 WILL GIVE YOU TABLE OF
CONVERSION UNITS
Specific Concepts and Skills to Concentrate On When Studying
In general, you need to be adept in using dimensional analysis and have ability to carry out conversions in
the metric system from one unit to another (1 step or more). Be very familiar with element names and
symbols, know particles that make up an atom and be able to determine correct number of protons,
neutrons, and electrons in an atom. Be able to tell what elements lose or gain electrons and how you
determine that (octet rule) and have a common knowledge of the periodic table. You do need to know how
to name and write compound formulas, how to balance chemical equations. Do know how to figure out
empirical and molecular formulas (There is definitely a question on this). Do know how to figure out
limiting reagents, percent yield. In addition to the traditional problem solving questions, I will test your
conceptual understanding of the nature of chemical stoichiometry and molecular nature.